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instance
/ˈɪnstəns/
When used as a noun, "instance" is very similar to the word "example." However, it often refers to a specific time or occasion when something happened. The phrase "for instance" is one of the most common ways to introduce an example in English and can be used interchangeably with "for example." Using "instance" as a verb is quite rare and sounds very formal. In everyday conversation, people usually prefer words like "illustrate" or "give an example of" instead.
💬Casual Conversation
🎬Tuesday afternoon, David is in a meeting while Jessica is frantically updating the project tracker.
Jessica
The client just blew up my phone. Is this a one-off or a recurring instance?
David
Just a glitch. Don't sweat it, we'll pivot.
💡
Jessica uses 'instance' to ask if the client's complaint is an isolated case or part of a pattern. She uses the phrasal verb 'blew up' (meaning to call/message repeatedly and aggressively) to convey her anxiety, while David responds with corporate buzzwords like 'pivot' to sound visionary despite the issue.