A common confusion: Instants and Instance

The closeness in sound of INSTANTS and INSTANCE leads many people into marshy territory. It is useful to recall the route-meanings of the words in order to attempt extraction from, or avoidance of, the marshes. 

INSTANT: an adjective meaning immediate or without preparation.

 

INSTANCE: a noun meaning an example or a particular case.

 

While we are using the words in these forms and senses, there is little confusion:

 

MY INSTANT RESPONSE IS NEGATIVE.

 

IN THIS INSTANCE, LITTLE HELP IS POSSIBLE.

 

However, INSTANT can also be a noun, meaning a precise and limited moment of time.

 

THE INSTANT AFTER YOU TAKE CONTROL WILL BE A LITTLE FRIGHTENING.

 

Both nouns can have plural forms, INSTANTS and INSTANCES. Now we are approaching the danger area.

 

THE INSTANTS AFTER YOU TAKE CONTROL WILL BE A LITTLE FRIGHTENING.

 

THESE INSTANCES OF SUPPORT ARE ENCOURAGING.

 

It is common to become a little uncertain of which word is required in these contexts. Sometimes, people become so confused when talking that they double-pluralize INSTANT: INSTANTSES (good grief!)

 

Some solutions and road maps:

 

1. Remember that INSTANT means a precise moment and INSTANCE means an example, and quickly assess the meaning before choosing the correct word.

 

2. (The safe, if mildly cowardly, pathway.) Abolish INSTANT – or at least INSTANTS – and INSTANCE from your vocabulary and replace them with MOMENT(S) and EXAMPLE.