the previous instance

USAGE SUMMARY

"the previous instance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a prior occurrence or example in a discussion or argument. For example: "In the previous instance, we observed a different outcome." Alternative expressions include "the earlier case" and "the prior example."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The previous instance, May 20-22 in Atlanta, produced a five-game losing streak that jeopardized Randolph's job heading into a meeting with ownership.

The New York Times - Sports

GoGrid [24] offers IaaS instances in which each offering is effectively double, in core count, memory and disk space, the previous instance.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

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

To say that an instance of some pattern "reproduces" previous instances is to say that, if the previous instance had been different, the current instance would be correspondingly different.

SEP

If the utilities at this new equilibrium with some positive price c improve with respect to the previous instance, the pricing factor is incremented and the procedure is repeated.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

While migration is typically an individual or household-based investment, driven by correspondingly "private" aspirations, it still takes place within a broader texture of pervasive social representations and shared aspirations (including the "depressed" ones, as in the previous instance of no-future-here).

Comparative Migration Studies

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In each of the previous instances, however, presidents have steadfastly declined to sign death warrants.There is no reason to believe this executive will buck the trend.

The Economist

What made the failure to turn over notes of the meeting different from the previous instances of withholding evidence, a senior department official said, was that it was discovered in February, after the trial was over.

The New York Times

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

After that, it deactivates and removes the previous instances.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Our study lasted for three years, during which we deployed three consecutive instances of the course, each featuring improvements based on student feedback from the previous instances.

Computers in Human Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the previous instance", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For instance, clarify if you are referring to an event, a case, or an example.

Common error

Avoid using "the previous instance" without adequately introducing the initial instance. This can lead to confusion if the reader is unsure what "previous instance" refers to. Always provide a clear antecedent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the previous instance" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating a reference to a prior occurrence or example. It's used to provide context by relating the current situation or point to something that has already been established.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the previous instance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to reference a prior occurrence or example. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability in various writing contexts. While not extremely common, it finds application in diverse fields like science and news media. For clarity, ensure a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity, and consider alternatives like "the preceding case" or "the earlier example" to adjust formality or emphasis. Remember to ensure it's clear to what previous instance the phrase refers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the preceding case

Replaces "instance" with "case", implying a legal or formal context.

the prior occurrence

Substitutes "previous" and "instance" with synonyms, offering a slightly more formal tone.

the earlier example

Focuses on the role of the instance as an example, making it suitable for illustrative contexts.

the foregoing situation

Emphasizes the specific circumstances of the previous instance.

the instance before

Simplifies the phrasing while retaining the core meaning.

the last event

Highlights the sequential nature of the instance.

the foregoing

A shortened, more formal way of referencing something previously mentioned.

that preceding situation

This option stresses the situation aspect of the "previous instance".

the past occasion

Replaces instance with occasion, suitable when referring to a specific event.

a similar case previously

Inverts the structure to emphasize similarity and past occurrence.

FAQs

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

Use "the previous instance" to refer back to a specific event, example, or case already mentioned. For example, "In "the earlier example", the results were different; "the previous instance" showed a similar pattern".

What can I say instead of "the previous instance"?

You can use alternatives like "the preceding case", "the prior occurrence", or "the earlier example" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "the previous instance" in writing?

It's appropriate when you need to draw a direct comparison or contrast with a prior event, case, or example already detailed in your writing. Ensure the connection is clear to the reader, especially if you have mentioned several events already.

How does "the previous instance" compare to "a similar case"?

"The previous instance" refers specifically to something already mentioned, while "a similar case previously" introduces a new but related instance. One refers back, the other introduces a parallel. So while "the previous instance" is more specific, "a similar case previously" /s/may+be+used+to+introduce+a+new+similar+concept.