there were instances when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were instances when" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to introduce a specific time or situation in which something happened. For example, you might say, "There were instances when I thought I wouldn't make it through college, but I eventually graduated with honors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

There were instances, when they were teenagers.

The Guardian - Books

Throughout the Overture, there were instances when the tone would flip between peaceful and exhilarating.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There were instances when Renato really tested our "Ivy League brains" to its extent.

Cornell University

In particular, there were instances when teachers focused only on mathematics or technology.

The Journal of Mathematical Behavior

There were instances when I wondered, but I couldn't say those were signs of Alzheimer's.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There were instances when offenses in passing situations would avoid the entire half of the field Sanders occupied, or the wide receiver he was covering.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Or have there been instances when you're jostling to get back for a group picture after setting the timer of a camera shutter?

TechCrunch

There are instances when it has worked.

The New York Times

"There are instances when a passkey would be appropriate".

The New York Times

However, there are instances when there is a need for something to be dimensioned twice for information purposes.

Engineering Drawing for Manufacture

Yet there are instances when being on a private course is not protection from liability.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were instances when" to introduce specific examples or situations, adding detail and context to your writing. This can make your arguments more persuasive and relatable.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "there were instances when". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were instances when" functions as an introductory phrase to provide specific examples or situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to introduce times when something occurred. It helps in specifying particular cases, as seen in examples like, "There were instances when the system failed."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were instances when" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, primarily utilized to introduce specific examples or situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, this phrase serves to provide concrete support and illustration. For variation, consider alternatives like "there were times when" or "there were occasions when", but remember to avoid overuse for stylistic reasons. Ensure you're using this phrase to genuinely enhance clarity and provide illustrative examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were times when

Replaces "instances" with "times", suggesting a less specific occurrence but carrying a similar meaning.

there were occasions when

Uses "occasions" instead of "instances", implying more formal or significant occurrences.

there were moments when

Substitutes "instances" with "moments", focusing on specific points in time.

there were periods when

Replaces "instances" with "periods", indicating longer durations or recurring stretches of time.

there were situations when

Uses "situations" instead of "instances", emphasizing the circumstances surrounding the events.

there were cases when

Substitutes "instances" with "cases", highlighting specific examples or occurrences.

there were days when

Replaces "instances" with "days", focusing on specific calendar days when something happened.

there were nights when

Uses "nights" instead of "instances", specifically referring to occurrences at night.

on some occasions

Expresses a similar idea in a more concise and slightly more formal manner.

at certain points

Indicates specific moments or stages where something occurred, often in a process or sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "there were instances when" in a sentence?

Use "there were instances when" to introduce examples or specific times when something occurred. For example, "There were instances when the system failed to respond promptly".

What are some alternatives to "there were instances when"?

You can use alternatives like "there were times when", "there were occasions when", or "there were moments when" depending on the specific context.

Is "there were instances when" formal or informal?

"There were instances when" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "on some occasions" might be slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "there were instances when" and "there were times when"?

While similar, "there were instances when" suggests more specific, documented occurrences, while "there were times when" is more general and refers to unspecified moments.