instance and instants - the difference

by Craig Shrives
The Quick Answer
An instance is an example.
An instant is moment of time.
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Instance

The noun instance means an occurrence or an example.

Examples:
  • This is another instance of Mark's poor behaviour.
  • Take a look at his latest project for instance.

Instants

The word instants is the plural of instant, which means a moment of time.

Examples:
  • The light bulb lasted no longer than a few instants.
  • A couple of instants after the lightning, a deafening thunder roared above our heads.
Interactive Exercise
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See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are nouns? List of easily confused words