instead of

AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO, as a substitute for, as a replacement for, in place of, in lieu of, in preference to; rather than, as opposed to, as against, as contrasted with, before.

→ instead

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preposition

Etymology: Middle English in sted of

: as a substitute for or alternative to

had peanut butter instead of jelly

sent his helper instead of coming himself

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◊ 'instead'

Instead is an adverb. You use it when you are saying that someone does something rather than doing something else that you have just mentioned.

Judy did not answer. Instead she looked out of the taxi window.

Robert had a great desire to turn away, but instead he led her towards the house.

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◊ 'instead of'

Instead of is a preposition. You use it to introduce something which is not done, not used, or not true when you are contrasting it with something which is done, is used, or is true.

I'm tired of sleeping in the mud instead of a nice warm bed.

If you want to have your meal at seven o'clock instead of five o'clock, you can.

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You can say that someone does something instead of doing something else.

You could always write this instead of using your word processor.

I went up the tributary instead of sticking to the river.

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You do not say that someone does something `instead to do' something else.

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inˈstead of [instead of] preposition

in the place of sb/sth

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We just had soup instead of a full meal.

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Now I can walk to work instead of going by car.