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Prepositions with nouns

Of instance or in instance?

Neither of instance nor in instance is a standard general combination in modern English. Most learners need for instance, in this instance, or an instance of.

Quick answer

What should you say instead?

Do not usually use of instance or in instance as fixed combinations. Use for instance to give an example, in this instance to refer to a particular case, and instance of after instance.

for instance, you could start with a short email.
In this instance, the rule does not apply.
This is an instance of unfair treatment.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
for instance

Giving an example

For instance introduces an example or illustration.

For instance, many cities now ban smoking indoors.
You could try a different method, for instance, a shorter survey.
2
in this instance

Referring to a specific case

Use in this instance or in that instance for a particular situation.

In this instance, we decided to wait.
In that instance, the data was incomplete.
3
instance of + noun

Naming a type or example

Use of after instance to identify what kind of example something is.

The error was an instance of miscommunication.
This case is another instance of fraud.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
of instance
The phrase of instance is not a standard fixed expression.
Usually replaced by instance of or another structure.
in instance
In instance is generally nonstandard in modern English.
Use in this instance or for instance instead.
for instance
For instance, we could postpone the meeting.
Introduces an example.
instance of
That was an instance of poor planning.
Names the category or type of example.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Reversing instance of

The standard order is instance of, not of instance.

✕ This is an of instance corruption. ✓ This is an instance of corruption.

Using in instance without a determiner

Use in this instance or in that instance.

✕ In instance, we agreed to continue. ✓ In this instance, we agreed to continue.

Confusing for instance and in this instance

The first gives an example; the second refers to a specific case.

✕ For this instance, the payment was late. ✓ In this instance, the payment was late.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. ___, you could ask for feedback before publishing.
2. This is an instance ___ negligence.
3. ___, the company chose not to respond.

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Frequently asked questions

Is in instance correct English?

Not usually. Modern English normally uses in this instance or for instance.

Can I use of instance?

Not as a fixed phrase. The usual form is instance of something.

What is the difference between for instance and for example?

They are very similar and both introduce examples.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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