prior instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a previous occurrence or example of something in discussions or analyses. Example: "In the prior instance, we observed a significant increase in productivity after implementing the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Private individuals have been convicted of spying for Cuba, but federal officials said they knew of no prior instance of the arrest of an American government official.

The New York Times

Administration officials and experts in pardon law said they were not aware of a prior instance of a president's withdrawing a pardon after it was announced.

The New York Times

In each prior instance the establishment has won, and a core of frustrated voters sulk off to vent on radio and await the next election.

The Guardian

But a 5-4 Supremajority majority held that the district court hadn't allowed enough public comment before making its decision — despite the dissenters' argument that they could not find a single prior "instance in which this court has pre-emptively sought to micromanage district court proceedings as it does today".

The New York Times

Fortunately, if a future instance is very similar to a prior instance, studying history can suffice.

Journal of Cheminformatics

However, in remindings, learners need to retrieve the prior instance into working memory during presentation of the second item.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"You have had apparently 70 prior instances where you have not taken the steps available to you," Judge Orenstein said to Apple's lawyers during a hearing.

The New York Times - Tech

The motive to avoid failure is also assumed to be relatively stable by adulthood and represents the compilation of those prior instances where achievement behaviours were unsuccessful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"At the time, this issue had not occurred in prior instances when properties had chosen to opt out of the Mitchell-Lama program, and so was not part of H.P.D.'s review," said the spokeswoman, Catie Marshall.

The New York Times

Since sustaining his second concussion this year on May 20, Church has experienced setbacks in each of the three prior instances in which the team's medical staff and outside neurologists cleared him to play.

The New York Times - Sports

This bothers Pipes: he recalls "some prior instances of Muslim women winning beauty contests in Western countries," and this surprising frequency of Muslims winning beauty pageants makes me suspect an odd form of affirmative action.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prior instance", ensure the context clearly establishes the relationship between the current situation and the previous one. For instance, specify what was learned from the "prior instance".

Common error

Avoid using "prior instance" merely as a filler phrase. Ensure it genuinely contributes to the analysis by providing a relevant comparison or contrast to the current situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior instance" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It references a specific event, case, or example that has occurred previously. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prior instance" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to reference a preceding event or example. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent application in news, scientific, and academic contexts. It's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring a clear connection between the "prior instance" and the current context to enhance understanding and analysis. Alternative phrases like "previous occurrence" or "earlier example" can be used to vary your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous occurrence

Emphasizes the event aspect, focusing on something that has happened before.

prior event

Simple substitute using 'event' instead of 'instance'.

earlier example

Highlights the illustrative aspect, referring to a case that serves as an instance.

previous case

Uses the term 'case' to denote a specific occurrence.

preceding case

Focuses on a situation or event that comes before the current one.

former situation

Refers to a state of affairs that existed at an earlier time.

earlier situation

Replaces 'prior' with 'earlier' and 'instance' with 'situation'.

past event

General term for something that has happened in the past.

historic example

Implies an example of considerable importance or significance from the past.

antecedent situation

Focuses on a situation that precedes and influences a subsequent one.

FAQs

How can I use "prior instance" in a sentence?

You can use "prior instance" to refer to a previous occurrence or example. For instance, "The data from the "prior instance" helped us predict the outcome of the current experiment."

What's a good alternative to "prior instance"?

Alternatives include "previous occurrence", "earlier example", or "preceding case", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "prior instance" and "previous instance"?

The terms "prior instance" and "previous instance" are largely interchangeable. Both refer to something that happened before, with no significant difference in meaning.

In what contexts is "prior instance" most appropriately used?

"Prior instance" is suitable in contexts requiring formal or analytical language, such as academic papers, legal documents, or business reports. It provides a clear and concise way to refer to a past event or situation.