personal instances

USAGE SUMMARY

"personal instance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific incident involving an individual, or to an example of something from an individual's experience. For example: My personal instance of depression led me to explore different methods of coping.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Making the call on whether to identify personal instances of harassment – and in particular, naming harassers – remains an impossible dilemma.

The Guardian

Absences from class and missed work are accommodated (excused) in five circumstances: 1) significant illness, 2) personal instances of distress or emergency, 3) religious observance, and 4) varsity athletic participation and 5) required court or legal appearances.

Duke University

I've had many personal instances of sexism in my career.

HuffPost

But can I qualify that by saying that in certain personal instances it did achieve reconciliation.

HuffPost

And when we talk about personal instances of shame, or widespread cultural myths, these things are worth calling out for what they are -- damaging, cruel bullshit with no place in a society of people who really ought to know better.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

You can get your personal instance for around $32.70 per month (€30).

TechCrunch

It is also possible to launch a personal instance of the faceted browser and ftp server within the Amazon Cloud, letting users create customized instances of these services.

BMC Genomics

At Columbia University, the late Edward Said used his authority as a teacher of comparative literature to apologize for Palestinian terrorism and condone Arab violence against Israel, including, in one instance, by personal example.

The Washington Post

Fig. 2 Examples of personal data instances ingested from two data sources.

Journal of Big Data

Figure 2 lists four personal data instances representing social media feeds posted by a PDL user on Facebook and Twitter and ingested by the PDL through the available API of each source (Facebook Graph API, and Twitter Streaming API) with evolved schemas.

Journal of Big Data

For example, by default, a freshly installed personal Galaxy instance binds to localhost on port 8080, which is the basis for the GALAXY_URL parameter.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personal instances" to add a human touch to otherwise impersonal or abstract topics. They make your writing more engaging and memorable.

Common error

Avoid drawing broad conclusions based solely on a few "personal instances". Acknowledge the limitations of anecdotal evidence and supplement it with more robust data or analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal instances" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase refers to specific incidents involving an individual, or to an example of something from an individual's experience. The examples provided by Ludwig show the phrase being used to describe occurrences of sexism or reconciliation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal instances" refers to specific examples or occurrences from an individual's experience, used to illustrate a point or support an argument. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. While versatile, this term is most commonly found in news and media, scientific contexts and academia. To ensure effective communication, use "personal instances" to add a human touch, support claims, and engage the audience. Avoid overgeneralization and always supplement them with robust evidence where appropriate. Alternatives include "individual experiences" and "personal examples", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal examples

Directly points to instances serving as illustrations or demonstrations from one's life.

my own experiences

Adds a personal touch and emphasizes ownership of the experiences being discussed.

individual experiences

Focuses on the experiential aspect, emphasizing personal encounters and feelings.

firsthand experiences

Stresses the direct and immediate nature of the experiences, implying personal involvement.

personal anecdotes

Highlights the narrative quality of the instances, presenting them as brief, often entertaining stories.

personal encounters

Highlights the interaction or confrontation aspect of the instances.

specific cases

Emphasizes the particularity and concreteness of the examples, suitable for legal or analytical contexts.

individual accounts

Highlights personal narratives or descriptions of events.

personal occurrences

A more formal way of referring to events that happened to someone.

unique experiences

Highlights the distinctive and uncommon nature of the instances.

FAQs

How can I effectively incorporate "personal instances" into my writing?

Use "personal instances" to illustrate a point, support an argument, or add a human touch to your writing. Ensure they are relevant and contribute meaningfully to your overall message.

What are some alternatives to using "personal instances" in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using terms like "specific cases" or "individual accounts" to maintain a professional tone while still providing illustrative examples.

Is it appropriate to use "personal instances" in academic writing?

While "personal instances" can add a compelling dimension to academic writing, ensure they are used sparingly and ethically, always in support of a larger argument or analysis. Substantiate with research and avoid over-reliance on anecdotal evidence.

How do "personal instances" differ from general examples?

"Personal instances" refer specifically to experiences or occurrences from your own life, while general examples can be drawn from a broader range of sources. The former adds a layer of authenticity and relatability, while the latter provides a wider scope of applicability.