Basic Details
Word: Instance
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: One example of something, or one single time when it happens.
Synonyms: example, case, occurrence
Sounds like: instants (very short moments of time; the plural of instant)
How to Spell Instance
Syllables: in - stance
Tricky part: The ending is ance, not ence or ants. Instants, the plural of instant, sounds almost the same but means moments.
Watch out for: instence, instanse, insstance
Memory tip: A stance is the way you stand. Put in in front and you get instance, still ending in ance.
Idioms and Phrases
- for instance: for example Example: "Some birds, for instance the ostrich and the emu, cannot fly."
Usage Examples
Example 1: In most instances, the trains here run on time.
Example 2: Can you give me one instance of a bird that cannot fly?
Example 3: This is the first instance of a tiger being seen near the village.
Fun Fact
In computing, an instance means one copy of a program or object that is running, so you can have two instances of the same browser open at once.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
There was not a single instence of cheating during the examination, and the principal praised the students for their honesty in the morning assembly.
a) examination
b) cheating
c) honesty
d) instence
Show answer
d) instence. Instance ends in ance, the same ending as distance.
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to instance as used in the sentence:
Raising the fare twice in one month was another instance of the bus company ignoring passengers.
a) reason
b) instant
c) cure
d) example
Show answer
d) example. An instance of something is an example of it; instant only looks similar.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. circumstanse 2. instance 3. sequense 4. ocassion
a) a fact or condition connected with an event
b) a particular time when something happens, or a special event
c) one example or single case of something
d) the order in which things follow one another
Show answer
c) one example or single case of something. Instance is spelt correctly; occasion doubles the c but has one s, and circumstance and sequence both end in ce.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In the first instance, we will call the parents. Here in the first instance means ____.
a) for ever
b) as a first step
c) in a hurry
d) only once
Show answer
b) as a first step
2. Which word sounds like instance but means moments?
a) instils
b) instincts
c) insists
d) instants
Show answer
d) instants
