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3. instance

instance

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at the instance of

At one's urging. I'm doing some charity work now at the instance of my college advisor.

See also: instance, of

this instance

This particular situation. I know I discouraged you from using too many commas in your essays, but, in this instance, I would add a comma. In this instance, Carrie needs her friends' love and support, regardless of how independent she is the rest of the time.

See also: instance, this

for instance

for example. I've lived in many cities, for instance, Boston, Chicago, and Detroit. Jane is very generous. For instance, she volunteers at the hospital and gives money to charities.

See also: instance

in the first place and in the first instance

initially; to begin with. In the first place, you don't have enough money to buy one. In the second place, you don't need one. In the first instance, I don't have the time. In the second place, I'm not interested.

See also: and, first, instance, place

for example

Also, for instance. As an illustration of something, as in Dress casually, in blue jeans, for example, or This program has problems-for instance, it's hard to retrieve lost data. The first expression, which dates from the late 1500s, is used throughout this book to illustrate how an idiom is used. The variant dates from the mid-1600s.

See also: example

instance

see under for example.

for example

As an illustrative instance: Wear something simple; for example, a skirt and blouse.

See also: example

for instance

As an example; for example.

See also: instance