instance
instance — 名詞
1. a particular event, situation, or fact that is one example of a type of thing or
例子;實例
說明或證明某事物的具體事例
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.
In this instance, the store manager let the cashier go home early.
在這個例子中,店長讓收銀員提早下班。
pattern: in this instance (adverbial phrase)
The Watanabe family found several instances where early treatment had helped their son.
渡邊一家發現了幾個早期治療幫助了他們兒子的實例。
countable noun with where-clause
There have been many instances of flooding in this region during the past ten years.
過去十年間,這個地區發生過多次水災。
For instance, traffic lights help prevent serious accidents at busy crossroads.
舉例來說,紅綠燈有助於防止繁忙路口發生重大交通事故。
The court case was a clear instance of a company putting profit before safety.
這起法院案例清楚顯示了一家公司將利潤置於安全之上的實例。
- 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
instance — 動詞
1. to mention a particular event, situation, or fact as an example in order to expl
舉例說明
提出具體事例來說明
to mention a particular event, situation, or fact as an example in order to explain or support a general statement.
The report instances several cases where safety rules were not followed.
這份報告舉出了幾起未遵守安全規定的案例。
formal transitive: instances + noun phrase
To support her argument about rising sea levels, Reema instanced a scientific study from 2019.
為支持她關於海平面上升的論點,Reema 舉了一個 2019 年的科學研究為例。
infinitive of purpose + transitive verb
As instanced by the data from the city hospital, the new policy reduced waiting times.
正如市立醫院的數據所顯示,這項新政策縮短了等待時間。
The lawyer instanced a similar case from 2015 to persuade the judge.
律師舉了一個 2015 年的類似案例來說服法官。
- cite
more common in academic writing; suggests referring to a source or authority
- mention
less formal; can be brief and without supporting detail
- illustrate
focuses on making something clearer, often with a story or detailed example
文法句型
instance + noun phrase
as instanced by [something]
用法筆記
This verb is formal and used mainly in academic, legal, or technical writing. In everyday conversation, speakers prefer "give an example" or "cite." The passive form "as instanced by" is common in formal reports.