previous instance when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous instance when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific earlier occurrence or event in a discussion or narrative. Example: "In the previous instance when we faced a similar challenge, we managed to overcome it by collaborating closely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Kalb's book doesn't cite any previous instance when a president has risked his foreign policy credibility by submitting himself to Congress under such doubtful circumstances — because it's never happened.

The Washington Post

Several former F.B.I. officials said that they could think of no previous instance when the White House restricted the bureau's ability to interview potential witnesses during a background check.

The New York Times

In a previous instance when Iranian pilgrims were kidnapped in Syria, he said, their captors displayed seized passports signed by Iranian colonels as proof of military credentials of the hostages — even though all Iranian passports have such signatures.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It begins by citing previous instances when the so-called Cyber Caliphate group successfully infiltrated US networks, including when it hacked into and displayed a banner reading "I love you Isis" on the Central Command's Twitter account earlier this year.

Independent

His campaign's studiously muted reaction to tonight's developments was a sign of how surreal and unpredictable the last 19 days had been, of the previous instances when Mr. Bush had begun to stride toward a presidential spotlight, only to see it ebb and fade before he could get there.

The New York Times

The chart below shows how the SPX and the VIX behaved this decade following previous instances when the SPX declined by 10%.

Forbes

In previous instances when the city has been asked to disclose information to the public, they seem to have adopted a position of "don't ask, and we won't tell". However, since the public lacks the subpoena power of the Housing Authority, I ask in the name of full disclosure that any and all information regarding the awarding of the ADI contract be made public.

Los Angeles Times

The previous instance was in 1985, when Paul Castellano, another Gambino crime boss, was assassinated under the orders of John Gotti outside Manhattan's Sparks Steak House.

The Washington Post

The previous instance of dangerous debt-to-GDP was in 1929, when it rose to 270%, declining in the depression and afterward to 1.5-to-1 or 1.7-to-1 in the sane and stable 1950s.

Forbes

For instance, when applying the recommendation of the previous example to the prescription of an AGI for a patient as first-line treatment, the system deduces that the only recommended prescription is metformin.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

And in the rare instance when taxpayers reject a school budget, the statutory contingent budget is essentially the previous year's budgeted amount.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previous instance when", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'instance' refers to, preventing ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "previous instance when" immediately after already establishing a timeline. This can create unnecessary repetition and disrupt the flow of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous instance when" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time or circumstances of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previous instance when" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to refer to specific prior events or situations. Ludwig AI validates this, also noting its usability. It's most commonly found in news and media sources. While not extremely frequent, the phrase is useful for providing context and drawing comparisons. When writing, make sure that the referenced "instance" is clear to avoid ambiguity, and be mindful of potential redundancy. Alternatives like "prior occasion when" or "earlier case when" may offer more concise options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior occasion when

Replaces "instance" with "occasion", maintaining the temporal reference.

earlier case when

Substitutes "instance" with "case", focusing on a specific situation.

previous time that

Replaces "instance when" with "time that", simplifying the wording.

prior occurrence when

Uses "occurrence" instead of "instance", emphasizing the event's happening.

in the past when

Offers a more general reference to the past.

before when

A shortened version indicating a prior moment.

on a prior occasion when

Adds emphasis using "on a prior occasion".

in a former situation when

Highlights the situational aspect of the previous event.

the last time that

Focuses on the immediately preceding event.

an earlier event when

Emphasizes that the "instance" is an "event" and happened earlier.

FAQs

How can I use "previous instance when" in a sentence?

Use "previous instance when" to refer back to a specific earlier event or case. For example, "In the previous instance when we tried this, the results were different."

What's a more concise way to say "previous instance when"?

Consider using "prior occasion when" or "earlier case when" to convey a similar meaning with fewer words.

Is "previous instance when" formal or informal?

"Previous instance when" is generally suitable for formal and neutral contexts. For more casual settings, you might opt for phrases like "before when".

How does "previous instance when" differ from "following instance when"?

"Previous instance when" refers to something that occurred in the past, while "following instance when" would refer to something that occurs subsequently. They represent opposite temporal directions.