there were some instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were some instances" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to specific occurrences or examples in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In the study, there were some instances where participants reported feeling anxious during the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Although these were the most common practices, there were some instances of two-thirds benefits.

Britannica

There were some instances of coercion by the security forces this year but much less than in the past, according to observers.

The New York Times

The department's Cheryl-Anne Moy confirmed there were "some instances" where people couldn't be moved within the ordered timeframe, sometimes because of problems with the person themselves.

The Guardian

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said there were some instances of fraud in the vote on Monday, but it did not question the outcome.

The New York Times

"Although there were some instances of questionable individual performance, specialists generally acted in a manner consistent with their obligation to maintain fair and orderly markets and to protect investors and the public interest," the report added.

The New York Times

"Clearly there were some instances of very bad lending in the past, but we are talking about helping people who have been satisfactorily paying off their mortgage for a long time and have demonstrated that they can and will continue to pay off that loan," says Winter.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"There is lots of evidence that many BBC staff love working here but there are some instances of bullying and yes, I am disappointed with that.

The Guardian

There are some instances of corruption involved.

The Guardian

Yet there are some instances where attribution is possible.

Yale University

But there are some instances of fairly profound humor.

The New York Times - Arts

SARI NUSSEIBEH: I think there are some instances where the narratives do have to be reconciled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were some instances", ensure the context clearly indicates what these instances refer to. Providing specific examples can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "there were some instances" without specifying what those instances were or their relevance to the discussion. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were some instances" functions as an existential clause, indicating the presence or occurrence of a limited number of cases or examples. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were some instances" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate the occurrence of a limited number of cases or examples. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia, but is best used when you can provide specific examples or context to avoid vagueness. Remember to clarify what these instances refer to for maximum impact. Consider alternatives such as "a few occurrences" or "occasional situations arose" to fine-tune the emphasis and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were a few occurrences

Replaces "some instances" with "a few occurrences", slightly altering the emphasis on the number of cases.

a number of cases existed

Uses "a number of cases" instead of "some instances", providing a more formal tone.

occasional situations arose

Employs "occasional situations arose", which highlights the sporadic nature of the events.

sporadic examples were present

Substitutes with "sporadic examples were present", stressing the infrequency of the examples.

isolated incidents happened

Replaces with "isolated incidents happened", focusing on the separate and disconnected nature of the events.

certain situations transpired

Uses "certain situations transpired", offering a more sophisticated and detached perspective.

there were infrequent moments

Employs "infrequent moments", underscoring the rarity of the occurrences.

some cases manifested themselves

Substitutes with "some cases manifested themselves", adding a layer of formality and complexity.

instances sporadically emerged

Combines "instances" with "sporadically emerged" to emphasize the irregular and unpredictable nature of the events.

various situations came about

Uses "various situations came about" to generalize the nature of the occurrences, making them less specific.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there were some instances" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "a number of cases existed" or "certain situations transpired".

Is "there were some instances" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "there were some instances" is acceptable in academic writing, but ensure clarity by providing context or examples. Alternatively, you could use phrases like "a few occurrences" for a slightly more concise style.

What's the difference between "there were some instances" and "there were many instances"?

"There were some instances" indicates a limited number of occurrences, whereas "there were many instances" suggests a higher frequency. The choice depends on the actual number and its significance in the context.

When should I use "occasional situations arose" instead of "there were some instances"?

Use "occasional situations arose" when you want to emphasize the sporadic and infrequent nature of the situations, highlighting that they occurred irregularly.