there was an instance

USAGE SUMMARY

'there was an instance' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You could use it when you need to refer to a specific occurrence of something. For example: "There was an instance during the meeting when we all had a moment of silence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Could I escape?" Asked if he similarly tested himself in his youth, Ryan Murphy, Mr. Falchuk's creative partner, dryly replied: "No, but when I was a child there was an instance where someone did break into our house, and my mother pulled a gun on them.

The New York Times - Arts

There was an instance over the summer when a woman who had won a prize came in, was babbling almost incoherently and resisted leaving, Ms. Lipeika said.

The New York Times

There was an instance of this kind of maneuvering in 1934, which concerned three busts from the Dreyfus Collection — a Verrocchio, a Donatello, and a Desiderio da Settignano.

The New Yorker

"Although it hasn't been tested in a kangaroo-specific environment, there was an instance where black swans were interfering, and so they had to build into the car the ability to recognise animals," Amy Kaa said.

The Guardian - Tech

Moments later there was an instance of pure Bale as he picked the ball up in his own half, slalomed away from Danilo's lunge like a huge grey-shirted pond-skater and sprinted 40 yards with the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

"If ever there was an instance where the death penalty should have stood on solid ground, this was it," said Heidi Cramer, the daughter of one victim, Sandra Jean French.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Well, fortunately there's an instance of that too — in 2007.

The Washington Post

Still, for every clash there is an instance of intense efforts to keep an animal safe.

The New York Times - Science

"He's willing to fight for me if there's an instance when a theater isn't being cooperative," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

The prose is locked tight with the inescapable repetitions of reminiscence: "There's an instance I can remember from when we were about eleven.

The Guardian - Books

The Prime Minister continued to touch on Labour division and resentment throughout – and unfortunately, there's an instance where he's right.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there was an instance" to introduce a specific example or occurrence when you want to provide context or detail about a situation.

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on passive constructions like "there was an instance". When possible, rephrase to use active voice for a more direct and engaging style; for example, "The error occurred during the update" is more concise and active than "There was an instance of an error occurring during the update".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was an instance" functions as an introductory phrase to highlight a specific event or occurrence. It sets the stage for providing further details about that event, often with the purpose of offering an example or explanation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there was an instance" is a grammatically sound and usable way to introduce a specific event or occurrence, often to provide an example or explanation. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's more impactful to directly state the event but "there was an instance" adds context and singularity. Usage ranges from formal to neutral settings. When constructing your content, aim to use the phrase when you want to emphasize the singularity of an event, as "there were instances" will indicate multiple events. When writing, be mindful to use more active sentences instead of passive such as this one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an incident occurred

Replaces the more descriptive "there was an instance" with a direct statement of an event happening.

a situation arose

Focuses on the development of a specific set of circumstances.

an event took place

Highlights the occurrence of a specific event.

a case happened

Replaces "instance" with "case," emphasizing a specific occurrence or example.

it happened once that

Emphasizes the singularity and past occurrence of the event.

on one occasion

Highlights the specificity and infrequency of the event.

there occurred a situation

Inverts the structure, emphasizing the occurrence rather than the existence.

a particular event transpired

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe an event.

in one particular situation

Highlights the particularity of the event

a unique event unfolded

Focuses on the unfolding or progression of an event over time.

FAQs

How can I use "there was an instance" in a sentence?

Use "there was an instance" to introduce a specific example or occurrence, providing context or detail, as in "There was an instance during the project where the team had to work overtime to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "there was an instance"?

You can use alternatives like "an incident occurred", "a situation arose", or "an event took place" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "there was an instance of" or simply state the event?

While both are grammatically correct, directly stating the event (e.g., "The system crashed") is often more concise and impactful. Use "there was an instance of" when you want to provide additional context or emphasize the singularity of the event.

What's the difference between "there was an instance" and "there were instances"?

"There was an instance" refers to a single occurrence, while "there were instances" indicates multiple occurrences. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the number of events you are describing.