the sole instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the sole instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a unique or singular occurrence of something. Example: "This is the sole instance where the experiment produced unexpected results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It is the sole instance in which a member of the Israeli forces was charged for killing a Palestinian child.

The New Yorker

This is the sole instance where deep perspective is used, making the faces and bodies appear more solid, and perhaps, closer to the here and now.

The New York Times

It was the sole instance in which slavery reparations were authorized — and it compensated slaveholders in Washington, D.C., for the cost of emancipating their human chattel.

The New Yorker

Torture of Women (1976), is the best known of these; the Serpentine's selection has bypassed this, and Marduk (1986) looks to be the sole instance on show.

The Guardian - Arts

The conundrum of umpiring is neatly posed by the peculiar rule of the knee-to-shoulder strike zone, which Mr. Weber calls the sole instance of a playing area that is demarcated only in the minds of officials.

The New York Times - Books

The effect on audiences of watching Gethin follow McBrain helps explain why a behavourial psychologist friend of Griffiths once remarked that Comedians was the sole instance in his theatregoing experience "where you're invited to laugh, and then get punished for it".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The teams each took four shots on goal in the first period, but the Devils' sole instance of disorganized defense led to Hagelin's goal.

The New York Times - Sports

A sole instance of the artificial evolutionary process starts from a population characterized by a particular distribution of notochord stiffness and ends (in Long's experiments, at the tenth generation) with a population characterized by a different distribution of stiffness.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

So there is at least one property that is self-instantiating: it has itself as its sole instance, and indeed as its sole possible instance.

SEP

IN almost every instance the sole reason to stuff one food with another is appearance.

The New York Times

At the north end of the site, at 41st Street, the sole office tower, for instance, was cut to 35 stories, or 553 feet tall, from 864 feet in the developer's original plan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the sole instance", ensure that the context clearly establishes the uniqueness of the event or situation you are describing. Provide sufficient details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole instance" when there are similar occurrences, even if they are rare. Double-check your facts to ensure genuine uniqueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole instance" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (typically referring to an event, occurrence, or example). It is used to emphasize the uniqueness or singularity of the noun it modifies. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the sole instance" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for highlighting a unique event or occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not exceedingly common, it finds use in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly supports the claim of uniqueness. Alternatives include "the only occurrence" or "the unique example". Be mindful of overstating the uniqueness if similar instances exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only occurrence

Replaces "instance" with "occurrence", maintaining the sense of a single event.

the singular occurrence

Replaces "sole" with "singular", maintaining a formal tone and emphasizing the uniqueness.

the single case

Substitutes "sole instance" with "single case", emphasizing the uniqueness of the situation.

the unique example

Uses "unique example" instead of "sole instance", focusing on the exceptional nature of the example.

the solitary incident

Replaces "instance" with "incident" and "sole" with "solitary", highlighting the isolated nature of the event.

an exceptional case

Swaps out "sole instance" with "exceptional case", foregrounding the unusual nature of the case.

the lone situation

Uses "lone situation" in place of "sole instance", emphasizing the isolation of the circumstance.

the one-off event

Replaces "instance" with "event" and uses "one-off" to convey the singularity.

the only time

Simplifies the phrase to indicate that something happened just once.

a unique happening

Uses "happening" instead of "instance", to indicate that something special happened.

FAQs

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

Use "the sole instance" to highlight a unique or exceptional occurrence. For example, "This is "the sole instance" where the model correctly predicted the outcome."

What are some alternatives to "the sole instance"?

Alternatives include "the only occurrence", "the single case", or "the unique example". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "the sole instance" formal or informal?

"The sole instance" is suitable for formal and neutral contexts. For more informal settings, consider using phrases like "the only time" or "the one-off event".

Can "the sole instance" be used to describe people?

While grammatically possible, "the sole instance" is typically used to describe events, cases, or examples rather than people. Using alternatives like "the only person" or "the single individual" is more appropriate when referring to people.