on its fourth instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on its fourth instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the fourth occurrence of something in a sequence or series. Example: "The experiment showed significant results on its fourth instance, indicating a potential breakthrough."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pfizer, for instance, is now on its third mega-merger, but has launched only one drug that brings in annual sales of more than $1 billion in a decade.

Forbes

Google, for instance, started rising on its first day and almost never looked back.

The New York Times

"The objective that the president has focused on in this first instance is Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden [and] his presence in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

But there is no need to call on government borrowing in the first instance.

The Guardian - Opinion

A bound method value is already associated with its first argument, the instance on which it was invoked, which will be named self when the method is called.

University of California, Berkeley

On first instance, one would expect the diffusion rate to play a crucial role in the overall evolution of the systems.

Chemical Reviews

ETAPS 2001 is the fourth instance of the European Joint Conferences on Theory and Practice of Software.

Springer

The claimant's case on liability in the first instance is very simple.

Harvard University

I should like to see Mr Santer's stability pact focusing on that in the first instance.

EU Parlament

Its system looks for patterns that don't match a customer's typical behavior and identifies those anomalies even on the first instance, Welborn says.

MIT Technology Review

And not too far away, Cara Reilly stood reflecting on a second instance in two months where carnage has visited her community.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on its fourth instance" when you want to clearly indicate a specific point in a series or sequence of events. It's particularly useful in technical or formal writing where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "on its fourth instance" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "for the fourth time" would be more appropriate. The phrase's formality can sound stilted if used incorrectly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on its fourth instance" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the timing or position of an event within a sequence. Though Ludwig has limited examples, the intended use is clear.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on its fourth instance" is grammatically sound but infrequently used. Ludwig's analysis suggests it functions as an adverbial phrase, best suited for formal, scientific, or technical contexts where precision is key. While there are readily available alternatives like "for the fourth time", this option offers a more refined way to specify sequential occurrences. Although Ludwig provides limited examples, it is identified as correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the fourth instance of this

Very similar but avoids possessive pronoun 'its'.

in its fourth occurrence

Focuses on the act of happening or existing, rather than a specific example.

at the fourth iteration

Emphasizes a repeated process or cycle, rather than a single event.

for the fourth time

Highlights the frequency of the event.

in the fourth episode

Specifies the context as part of a series or narrative.

on the fourth occasion

Formal alternative, emphasizing a specific event.

as the fourth example

Highlights that this is an item in a series of examples.

the fourth event in a sequence

More descriptive, clarifying the sequential nature of the occurrence.

the fourth time this has happened

Focuses on the repetition of an event.

number four in the series

Highlights its position within a defined set.

FAQs

How can I use "on its fourth instance" in a sentence?

While examples are limited, this phrase is used to denote a specific occurrence in a sequence. For example, "The machine failed "on its fourth instance", requiring a complete system overhaul."

What can I say instead of "on its fourth instance"?

You can use alternatives like "in its fourth occurrence", "for the fourth time", or "at the fourth iteration" depending on the context.

Is "on its fourth instance" formal or informal?

The phrase "on its fourth instance" leans towards formal usage. In more casual settings, "for the fourth time" may be a better fit.

What's the difference between "on its fourth instance" and "the fourth instance of this"?

The phrase "on its fourth instance" directly refers to a specific occurrence in a series, while "the fourth instance of this" refers more generally to the fourth occurrence of something specific. The first implies a more direct sequence.