the second instance

USAGE SUMMARY

'the second instance' is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific repetition or occurrence. For example, "I had encountered similar problems twice before, but this was the second instance of such a problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the second instance, we meant Niger.

The Economist

The second instance is strange but important.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The second instance uses I/O-predicates as interface specifications.

Science of Computer Programming

In the second instance: He must physically sacrifice someone else.

Harvard University

In the second instance, a protester curls into a ball.

The Guardian

Such anxiety is irrational and, in the second instance, racist, but it is also increasingly inevitable.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is the second instance recently in which Mr. Armey has challenged White House policy.

The New York Times

In the second instance, the gunshots were added in the studio.

The New York Times - Science

In the second instance the referee can either revisit the original decision or leave it untouched.

The Guardian - Sport

He apologized in the second instance, in 2010, calling the threat an inappropriate joke.

The New York Times

That was the second instance in which the safety agency investigated Honda's minivans for strut failures.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting two scenarios, clearly label them as "the first instance" and "the second instance" to improve clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "instant" when you mean "instance". "Instant" refers to a specific point in time, while "instance" refers to an occurrence or example. Make sure that "the second instance" is the proper phrase to use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the second instance" functions as an adverbial phrase, providing context and indicating the sequence of events or examples. As seen in Ludwig, it often introduces a subsequent case or situation after an initial one has been described.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the second instance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to indicate a subsequent occurrence or example. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s widely accepted and appropriate for formal, neutral, and professional writing. Given its prevalence across diverse authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, writers can confidently use this phrase to enhance clarity and structure in their communication. Remember to avoid confusing it with "instant", and consider alternative phrasings like "the latter case" or "the subsequent occurrence" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the subsequent occurrence

Replaces 'second' with 'subsequent', emphasizing the sequential nature of the event.

the second occasion

Synonymous with 'second instance,' with a slightly more formal tone.

the latter case

Uses 'latter' to denote the second of two previously mentioned cases.

the following instance

Emphasizes the temporal sequence with 'following' instead of 'second'.

in the second situation

Substitutes 'instance' with 'situation', focusing on the circumstances.

in the second event

Uses event as a substitute for instance.

the next example

Replaces 'instance' with 'example', highlighting its role as an illustration.

the second illustration

Replaces the word instance for a specific illustration.

the second time

Uses 'time' instead of 'instance', referring to a repeated occasion.

subsequently

A concise adverb indicating what comes after, removing need for explicit mention of an instance.

FAQs

How is "the second instance" used in a sentence?

The phrase "the second instance" typically introduces a subsequent example, occurrence, or situation after an initial one has already been presented. For example, "In "the first instance", the program crashed due to a memory leak; in "the second instance", it failed because of a network error."

What are some alternatives to saying "the second instance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the latter case", "the subsequent occurrence", or "the second time".

Is it correct to say "in the second instance" or "at the second instance"?

The correct phrasing is "in the second instance". The preposition "in" is used to indicate the context or situation in which something occurs.

What's the difference between "the first instance" and "the second instance"?

"The first instance" refers to the initial occurrence or example, while "the second instance" refers to the next, subsequent one. They are used to distinguish between two separate events or cases.