only one instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only one instance" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that there is only one occurrence or example of something. You can use "only one instance" in a sentence when talking about a unique or rare situation or event. For example: - There was only one instance of cheating in the entire exam. - The employee was given only one instance to improve his performance before being fired. - I have seen only one instance of this rare bird in my lifetime. - The doctor said that it was the first and only one instance of this medical condition he had ever seen. - The company has a strict policy of allowing only one instance of absences per month.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, local outbreaks are filtered by keeping only one instance of identical sequences sampled at the same location on the same day.

Bioinformatics

In only one instance was the recording quality so poor that we relied on detailed notes for analytic purposes.

BMC Psychiatry

In only one instance in this series was it necessary to open the wound on account of an abscess after the operation.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

There is only one instance.

University of California, Berkeley

PROFANITY -- Only one instance, a kind of sore thumb.

The New York Times

There was only one instance when Capriati lost her rhythm.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Shakely recalls only one instance in which his group lost out directly to Fidelity.

The New York Times

The Constitution restricts the president's use of the pardon in only one instance, cases of impeachment.

The New York Times

Looking back over the years, she could recall only one instance.

The New Yorker

The phantom was found to be robust, with only one instance of air introduction after 30 punctures.

Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology

However, we note that, until now, a component-based DSM represents only one instance of a specific product.

Computers in Industry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only one instance" to clearly indicate that something happened or exists in a single, isolated case. This emphasizes the uniqueness or rarity of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "only one instance" to downplay the importance of a situation. While it highlights rarity, the single occurrence might still have significant consequences or implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only one instance" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically limiting the quantity or occurrence of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

41%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only one instance" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to highlight the singularity or infrequency of an event or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable. It is used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia, with a neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its primary purpose: to emphasize rarity without unintentionally diminishing the event's significance. Several alternative phrases, like "a single case" or "a unique occurrence", can be used to achieve similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a single case

Emphasizes the singularity of the event or situation.

a unique occurrence

Highlights the rarity and distinctiveness of the event.

a solitary example

Underscores the isolated nature of the instance.

just one occasion

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the single event.

a singular event

Emphasizes the individual and remarkable nature of the happening.

a lone instance

Stresses the lack of other similar cases.

one particular time

Specifies a distinct point in time where something happened.

one-off situation

Highlights that the situation is not expected to be repeated.

an isolated incident

Points out the disconnected and separate nature of the event.

in one circumstance

Focuses on the specific conditions where something happened.

FAQs

How can I use "only one instance" in a sentence?

You can use "only one instance" to emphasize the singularity or infrequency of an event or situation. For example, "There was "only one instance" of a data breach in the company's history."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "only one instance"?

Alternatives include "a single case", "a unique occurrence", or "a solitary example", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "only one instance" or "just one instance"?

"Only one instance" is generally perceived as slightly more formal than "just one instance", but both are acceptable in most contexts.

What's the difference between "only one instance" and "only one example"?

While similar, "instance" refers to a specific occurrence or event, while "example" refers to something that serves as a representative or illustration of a broader concept. Use "instance" when referring to a particular event and "example" when pointing to something illustrative.