Instance or Instants?

Our Story

Instance or Instants?

What is the difference between "instance" and "instants"?
  • An "instance" is an occurrence or an example.
    • I am talking about the instance when you put the wrong oil in your lawn mower.
      • (When "instance" means occurrence, it often carries the connotation of being an example.)
    • Consider the lily for instance.
      • (The term "for instance" is a common way of saying "for example.")
  • An "instant" is moment of time. The plural is "instants." ("Instant" usually means "a brief moment of time.")
    • The light bulb lasted no longer than a few instants.
    • Hang on. I'll be there in two instants.
instance or instants?
Got it? Take a quick test.

More about "Instance" and "Instants"

The words instance and instants are homonyms (more specifically, homophones) because they sound the same. However, their meanings are quite different.

Instance

The noun "instance" means an occurrence or an example.

Example sentences with "instance":
  • This is another instance of Mark's poor attitude.
  • Take a look at his latest project for instance.

Instants

The word "instants" is the plural of of the noun "instant," which means "a moment of time." An instant usual means "a brief moment of time."

Example sentences with "instants":
  • There are things that I would say that you could call an instant of time; or better, a now. As we live we seem to move through a succession of instants of time, nows, and the question is, what are they? There are where everything in the universe is at this moment, now. (Physicist Julian Barbour)
  • A couple of instants after the lightning, a deafening thunder roared above our heads.
Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.

Help Us To Improve Grammar Monster

  • Do you disagree with something on this page?
  • Did you spot a typo?
Please tell us using this form.

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