Cool MateInstance vs Sample
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Instance
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Sample
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Sample
| Instance | Sample | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪnstəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnstəns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɑːmpl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsæmpl/"]/ |
| Meaning | A specific example or case of something. | A small part of something used to show what the whole is like. |
| Example | In this instance, we will need to apply a different approach. | He provided a sample of the product for us to test. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | countless, innumerable, many, give, provide, represent, occur, show something, for instance, in… instance, instance of, in the first instance | large, small, total, draw, select, comprise something, consist of something, size, survey, group, sample from, sample of, blood, faecal/fecal, serum, collect, obtain, take, contain, show, sample of, free, book, sample of |
| Antonyms | whole, entirety, totality | whole, entirety |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'instant' — they have different meanings., Using 'instances' incorrectly in plural form without examples., Mixing it up with 'instance of' instead of just 'instance.' | Confusing 'sample' with 'exemplar' - they have different meanings., Using 'sampled' incorrectly as a verb form in past tense., Mixing up 'sample' as a noun and a verb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'instance' in both spoken and written English to refer to particular examples. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts but avoid it in casual conversations or slang. | Used in scientific, business, and educational contexts when referring to testing or showing examples. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing products or experiences. |
Frequently asked questions: Instance vs Sample
What's the difference between Instance and Sample?
Instance: A specific example or case of something. Sample: A small part of something used to show what the whole is like.
Which is more common: Instance and Sample?
Sample is the most common in everyday English.
Are Instance and Sample the same CEFR level?
Instance: B2, Sample: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Instance and Sample interchangeably?
Not always. Instance and Sample are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.