there is no instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there is no instance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate something that has never occurred or been seen before, or to indicate that a particular situation does not exist. Example sentence: "I am aware of every instance of success within our industry, but there is no instance of someone failing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

For instance: "There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare".

The Guardian - Books

"There is no prior history, there is no instance where one might suspect this," Mr. Cugini said.

The New York Times

"How we looked at it, there is no instance that a black person has power over a white person except for this," he said, referring to what he called his right to use the most freighted word in the English language.

The Washington Post

While there is no instance of the discovery of eastern fluted points in association with an extinct fauna, the similarity of the accompanying assemblages of scrapers and gravers to those of the western industries suggests a similar carnivorous economic orientation in the east.

Britannica

There is no instance where this power has been abused.

University of Chicago

There is no instance of any state constitution which goes as far as this.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

He's saying there were no instances in which Mueller was stopped from moving forward with something he wanted to do.

The New York Times

"There's no instance averaged over a few years where teams vary much from this.

The New York Times - Sports

There was no instance in our meetings with Mr. Obama where he wasn't well prepared for the questions.

Huffington Post

There was no instance of refusal to observe.

Human Resources for Health

There was no instance of grade ≥2 gastrointestinal toxicity, except one case of life-threatening diarrhea.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there is no instance" to clearly and definitively state that something has never occurred or been observed. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and arguments where precision is important.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "there is no instance" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it hasn't happened" or "that's never happened" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is no instance" functions as an existential negation. It asserts the non-existence of a specific case or example. According to Ludwig, it's used to indicate that something has never occurred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there is no instance" is a grammatically correct and formal way to express that something has never happened or that a particular situation does not exist. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase indicates the absence of something. While relatively rare, its usage spans across diverse contexts like science, news, and academia. For less formal situations, it's best to use similar but more colloquial phrases such as "it never happened" or "there are no examples". Remember that this expression is most appropriate when aiming for precision and formality in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there are no cases

Replaces "instance" with the more general term "cases".

there are no examples

Substitutes "instance" with "examples", emphasizing the lack of precedents.

no instance exists

Inverts the sentence structure for a slightly more formal tone.

no such instance exists

Adds "such" for emphasis, highlighting the specific type of instance being absent.

there has never been an instance

Emphasizes the absence of the instance throughout history.

there isn't a single instance

Uses "single" to underscore the complete lack of instances.

not a single instance can be found

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of finding such an instance.

there is a complete absence of instances

Uses "complete absence" for a stronger emphasis on the lack of instances.

it never happened

Simplifies the phrase to a direct statement about a past event.

it is unprecedented

Indicates the situation is novel and has no prior parallel.

FAQs

How can I use "there is no instance" in a sentence?

You can use "there is no instance" to indicate that something has never happened or that a particular situation does not exist. For example: "There is no instance of this policy being successfully implemented."

What are some alternatives to "there is no instance"?

Some alternatives include "there are no cases", "there are no examples", or "it never happened", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "there is no instance" or "there are no instances"?

The correct form depends on whether you are referring to a singular, general case or multiple specific occurrences. Use "there is no instance" when referring to a general lack of something. Use "there are no instances" when speaking about several specific situations.

What does it mean when someone says, "There is no instance of that"?

It means that the person is not aware of any occurrence or example of the thing being discussed. It's a firm statement indicating a lack of precedent or evidence.