previous instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to earlier occurrences or examples of something that has happened before. Example: "In light of previous instances of similar behavior, we have decided to take action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ohio State has faced previous instances of questionable academic conduct.

The New York Times - Sports

In previous instances, the bank came back from the crisis and prospered.

The New York Times

Since Mrs. Clinton had told a similar story in previous instances, this was misleading at best.

The New York Times

Caseworkers had failed to investigate previous instances of abuse by the family, according to court testimony.

The New York Times

Examples abound of similar situations in sports, including several previous instances involving the Spurs.

The New York Times - Sports

The Jets said that in three previous instances, five players on the team had gone to the Pro Bowl.

The New York Times - Sports

Arnold Friedman, we find out, was certainly a pedophile — there were previous instances of molestation that he admitted to.

The New Yorker

But he defended the contract, pointing to previous instances where players gained huge contracts for the time.

The New York Times - Sports

There have been seven previous instances in which the Mets won more games on the road than at home.

The New York Times - Sports

Corbyn, Khan said, had been too slow to act over Livingstone's remarks and those of Shah, and over previous instances of antisemitism among Labour activists.

The Guardian

Portraits of Ahmadinejad and Khamenei have been defaced, but there had been no known previous instances of attacks on pictures of Khomeini.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing repeated events or behaviors, use "previous instances" to provide context and show a pattern. This can strengthen your argument or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "previous instances" as a vague reference. Always provide specific details or examples to support your statement. Simply stating that something has happened in "previous instances" without further elaboration weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous instances" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to occurrences or examples that have happened before. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previous instances" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that effectively references prior occurrences or examples. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. As noted, it is most commonly found in news and media, scientific writing, and formal business communication. For best use, ensure you provide specific details to support your reference to "previous instances" to strengthen your argument. When writing, consider using alternatives like "prior occurrences" or "past examples" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior occurrences

Uses a more formal term, "prior", to denote occurrences that happened before.

past examples

Emphasizes the examples that have occurred in the past.

earlier cases

Focuses on specific cases that have happened before.

preceding situations

Highlights the situations that came before the current one.

historic events

Refers to significant events in the past.

antecedent incidents

Uses more technical language, suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship.

foregoing instances

Employs a slightly archaic term, "foregoing", to refer to earlier instances.

earlier episodes

Implies a series of related events or occurrences.

prior history

Refers to the cumulative history of something that happened before.

historical precedents

Highlights past events that set a standard or example.

FAQs

How can I use "previous instances" in a sentence?

You can use "previous instances" to refer to earlier occurrences or examples of something. For example, "In light of "previous instances" of similar behavior, we have decided to take action."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "previous instances"?

Alternatives include phrases like "prior occurrences", "past examples", or "earlier cases" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "prior instances" or "previous instances"?

Both "prior instances" and "previous instances" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Prior" tends to be more formal than "previous".

What's the difference between "previous instances" and "historical precedents"?

"Previous instances" refers generally to past occurrences, while "historical precedents" specifically highlights past events that set a standard or example for future actions. Historical precedents carries a weight of authority and significance not necessarily present in all previous instances.