Cool MateInstance vs There was no case
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Instance
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
There was no case
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Instance
| Instance | There was no case | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪnstəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnstəns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðeər wɒz nōʊ keɪs//🇺🇸 //ðɛr wəz noʊ keɪs// |
| Meaning | A specific example or case of something. | A situation or instance that is being discussed or considered. |
| Example | In this instance, we will need to apply a different approach. | There was no case for his argument during the debate. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | countless, innumerable, many, give, provide, represent, occur, show something, for instance, in… instance, instance of, in the first instance | no case, there was no case, lack of case, case under consideration |
| Antonyms | whole, entirety, totality | - |
| 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.' | Using 'there is' instead of 'there was' for past situations., Saying 'case' when referring to examples rather than situations., Confusing 'case' with 'cause' in legal contexts. |
| 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 to indicate the absence of a situation in discussions. Common in formal and legal contexts; less common in casual speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: Instance vs There was no case
What's the difference between Instance and There was no case?
Instance: A specific example or case of something. There was no case: A situation or instance that is being discussed or considered.
Which is more common: Instance and There was no case?
Instance is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Instance: In this instance, we will need to apply a different approach. There was no case: There was no case for his argument during the debate.
Can I use Instance and There was no case interchangeably?
Not always. Instance and There was no case 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.