several instances of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several instances of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple occurrences or examples of something within a specific context. Example: "In the report, we noted several instances of miscommunication that led to project delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There have been several instances of clients being sectioned.

The Guardian

Investigators are looking into several instances of questionable share dealings.

The Economist

The four defendants are accused of collaborating with ethnic Hutu militias in several instances of killing.

The New York Times

Ms. Ebner's precedents include Ed Ruscha's word images and several instances of 1970's Conceptualism.

The New York Times

In my own investigation into the two cases, I found several instances of unmistakable forgery.

The New Yorker

Mr. Tembeckjian also mentioned several instances of judicial misconduct that were widely publicized.

The New York Times

Although Goodwin records several instances of slights and putdowns, Franklin still possessed considerable clout.

The Guardian - Books

The row comes in the wake of several instances of violence at Trump rallies.

The Guardian

Ms. Crawford told an investigator of several instances of sexually harassing conduct.

The New York Times

There have been several instances of countries raising tariffs, within the limits of their WTO commitments.

The Economist

But the F.D.A., stung by several instances of safety problems with drugs that it had approved, is becoming tougher.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several instances of" when you want to indicate that something has happened more than once, but not so many times that it is a regular occurrence. It suggests a noteworthy number of occurrences without being overwhelming.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "several instances of" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your phrasing with synonyms like "various examples of" or "multiple occurrences of" to enhance readability and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several instances of" functions as a quantifier followed by a prepositional phrase. It indicates that there are multiple examples or occurrences of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "several instances of" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate multiple occurrences or examples of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is particularly common in News & Media and Scientific contexts, offering a neutral to professional tone. While useful, it's important to avoid overuse, especially in formal writing, and to consider synonyms like "various examples of" or "multiple occurrences of" to maintain writing quality. Remember that "several" implies more than a few, but not an overwhelming number, making it a precise choice for documenting patterns or trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

different instances of

Emphasizes the variety or diversity among the occurrences.

various instances of

Highlights the numerous and diverse nature of the occurrences.

multiple examples of

Focuses on the examples as illustrations or representations.

several examples of

Highlights the illustrative nature of the instances, similar to "multiple examples of".

numerous occurrences of

Stresses the high quantity or frequency of the events.

repeated instances of

Emphasizes the recurring nature of the occurrences.

certain instances of

Indicates that the occurrences are specific or noteworthy.

a number of cases of

Presents the occurrences as specific cases or situations.

several cases of

Similar to "a number of cases of", but slightly more concise.

several indications of

Focuses on occurrences that serve as signs or evidence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "several instances of" in a sentence?

You can use "several instances of" to indicate that something has occurred more than once. For example, "The report noted several instances of errors in the data entry process."

What are some alternatives to "several instances of"?

Alternatives include "various examples of", "multiple occurrences of", or "a number of cases of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "several instances of" or "many instances of"?

"Several instances of" and "many instances of" are both acceptable, but "several instances of" suggests a more precise or documented observation, while "many instances of" is a more general statement about frequency.

How does "several instances of" differ from "few instances of"?

"Several instances of" indicates a notable number of occurrences, while "few instances of" suggests that something has occurred only a small number of times. They represent opposite ends of the frequency spectrum.