instance

/ˈɪnstəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪnstəns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin(t)-stən(t)s/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɪn.stəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪn.stəns/ (ame, ipa)

instance — noun

  • instancesingular
  • instancesplural

1. a particular event, situation, or fact that is one example of a type of thing or

1.名詞B1
釋義

a particular event, situation, or fact that is one example of a type of thing or that helps to show that something is generally true.

例句

In this instance, the store manager let the cashier go home early.

pattern: in this instance (adverbial phrase)

The Watanabe family found several instances where early treatment had helped their son.

countable noun with where-clause

同義詞
  • example

    the more common, everyday word; 'instance' emphasises the event itself, while 'example' emphasises its representative quality

  • case

    focuses on a particular situation or set of circumstances; often used in legal or medical contexts

  • occurrence

    more neutral and general; simply means something that happens, without the idea of being representative

  • illustration

    formal; a specific case used to make a general point easier to understand; often interchangeable with 'example'

文法句型

instance of something

in this / that instance

for instance

用法筆記

"For instance" (meaning "for example") is used as a sentence adverbial to introduce a specific example. "In the first instance" is a formal phrase meaning "as the first step in a series of actions."

常見錯誤

❌I have many instances to do this work.
✅I have had many instances of doing this work.
💡'instance' means an occurrence or example, not an opportunity or reason.

instance — verb