three separate instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "three separate instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to distinct occurrences or events that are not related to each other. Example: "The report highlighted three separate instances of misconduct that need to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

There were three separate instances of police using teargas, all near to the Occupy camp, as tensions erupted when protesters occupied a disused building.

The Guardian

In three separate instances, drivers of snow-clearing vehicles were shot at when they collided with other vehicles; one of the drivers, shot by an off-duty police officer, died.

The New Yorker

The figure also displays the mean and standard deviation of the three separate instances taken into consideration.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Three separate instances of poisoning in Indonesia involved 18 people, 14 of which died.

Wikipedia

Three separate instances of the program were run with different transposon consensus sequences obtained from RepBase [ 46] used as input.

Epigenetics and Chromatin

On three separate instances, the line was acquired from the stock center, successfully cured using tetracycline for two generations, and the absence of Wolbachia endosymbionts verified.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It also reveals two separate instances of incest (one sibling, one inter-generational).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Last month, the human-rights group Amnesty International cited four separate instances of beatings and detentions of activists in one week in late April.

The New York Times

In two separate instances, each lasting several days, seismometers on the ocean floor picked up very-low-frequency signals migrating along the upper part of this subduction zone.

The New Yorker

Several years earlier astronomers had described two separate instances of a pulsar with one or more planets possibly in orbit around it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In late 2017, at the height of the #MeToo movement, the actor was made to apologize for two separate instances in which he groped women on camera in the early aughts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "three separate instances", ensure each instance is genuinely distinct and not a continuation or facet of the same event. This strengthens the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "three separate instances" if the events are closely related or interconnected. If the events form a sequence or are part of a larger phenomenon, consider using phrases like "three phases of the same event" or "three related incidents" to reflect the interconnectedness more accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "three separate instances" functions as a quantifier followed by a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun. It specifies that there are three distinct and unconnected occurrences of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "three separate instances" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English that denotes three distinct and unconnected occurrences. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to emphasize the individuality of each event, ensuring clarity and precision. While relatively uncommon, it appears across diverse contexts, most notably in news media and scientific publications. When writing, it's important to ensure each instance is truly separate to maintain the phrase's accuracy. Alternatives include "three distinct occurrences" or "three individual cases". This phrase is best suited for neutral and professional registers, offering a clear and specific description of multiple events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three distinct occurrences

Replaces "instances" with "occurrences" emphasizing the act of happening.

three individual cases

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

three unique events

Uses "events" instead of "instances" emphasizing specific happenings.

three isolated incidents

Replaces "instances" with "incidents", focusing on events that are typically negative or noteworthy.

three different situations

Emphasizes the variety and separateness of each event as a "situation".

three singular episodes

Uses "episodes" instead of "instances", emphasizing short sequence of events.

three unconnected episodes

Stresses the lack of connection or relation among different episodes.

three discrete occurrences

Replaces "separate" with "discrete", highlighting individual and distinct occurrences.

three independent instances

Highlights that instances are not conditional or influenced by any element.

a trio of occurrences

More concise replacement of "three instances" that still retains the meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "three separate instances" in a sentence?

You can use "three separate instances" to describe distinct occurrences or events that are not related to each other. For example, "The report highlighted "three separate instances" of misconduct that need to be addressed."

What can I say instead of "three separate instances"?

Alternatives include "three distinct occurrences", "three individual cases", or "three unique events", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "three separate instance" (singular)?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. Since there are three, the word "instance" must be pluralized to "instances". The correct phrasing is ""three separate instances"".

What's the difference between "three separate instances" and "three related instances"?

"Three separate instances" implies that the occurrences are independent and unconnected. In contrast, "three related instances" suggests the occurrences are linked or have a common cause or theme.