there were frequent instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were frequent instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations or occurrences that happen often or repeatedly in a particular context. Example: "In the study, there were frequent instances of miscommunication among team members, leading to project delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There were frequent blackouts.

The New York Times

There were frequent arguments.

The New York Times

There were frequent rapes of female migrants.

The New York Times

In the 1990s, there were frequent revivals of his work.

The Guardian

There were frequent references to "the back of the classroom".

The New York Times

There were frequent stand-up rows with petty supervisors.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were frequent interruptions by commercial breaks.

Wikipedia

During the first six years of the Bush administration, while the Republican Party held power in Congress, there were frequent instances that called for party leaders to take and hold the high ground.

The New York Times

For instance, there are frequent acknowledgments of market conditions.

The New York Times

Native grasslands develop where there are frequent fires and droughts, level to gently rolling topography, and in some instances grazing animals and special soil conditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are frequent days off.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were frequent instances", ensure the context clearly defines what kind of instances you are referring to. Specificity enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing the word "instances" if simpler alternatives like "examples", "cases", or "occurrences" are more appropriate for your context. Varying your vocabulary can make your writing more engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were frequent instances" functions as an existential clause indicating that something occurred regularly or repeatedly in the past. It is used to introduce the existence of multiple occurrences of a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were frequent instances" is a grammatically sound way to indicate that something happened regularly in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and understandable expression. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register and benefits from clear context to specify the nature of the instances. If you want to enhance readability, consider alternatives like "there were many examples" or "frequent occurrences happened", depending on your desired tone and audience. Specifying the type of instances you are referring to also improves clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instances were frequent

Reorders the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning.

frequent instances occurred

Emphasizes the occurrence rather than the existence of instances.

instances often happened

Replaces "frequent" with "often" and "were" with "happened", making the phrase more conversational.

repeated instances took place

Substitutes "frequent" with "repeated" and "occurred" with "took place", adding a slightly more formal tone.

there were numerous occurrences

Replaces "frequent instances" with "numerous occurrences", offering a more formal alternative.

there were many examples

Offers a more direct and easily understood alternative using "examples" instead of "instances".

incidents happened frequently

Changes "instances" to "incidents" and restructures the sentence for a slightly different emphasis.

occasions frequently arose

Uses "occasions" instead of "instances" and changes the verb to "arose", providing a more sophisticated alternative.

common examples existed

Simplifies the phrase by using "common examples" and "existed".

it often happened that

Shifts the focus to the happening itself, rather than the instances.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there were frequent instances" for clarity?

You can use alternatives like "there were many examples", "frequent occurrences happened", or specify the type of instances (e.g., "there were frequent cases of miscommunication").

Is it better to use "instances" or "examples" in the phrase "there were frequent instances"?

It depends on the context. "Examples" is generally more accessible and easier to understand. "Instances" may be more appropriate in formal or technical writing where a precise term is needed. Consider which word best fits your audience and purpose.

What's a more formal way to say "there were frequent instances"?

More formal alternatives include "numerous occurrences took place", "instances happened repeatedly", or specifying the context: "frequent cases of... were observed".

Can I use "there are frequent instances" instead of "there were frequent instances"?

Yes, but it depends on the tense of your writing. "There were frequent instances" refers to the past, while "there are frequent instances" refers to the present. Ensure the tense aligns with the time frame you're discussing.