Word
instead
Phoneticsin·stead, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈstɛd/
UK/ɪnstˈɛd/
Sentence adverb
Definition
adv. in place of something else. You use it when you choose one thing because you do not want or cannot have another.
adv. as a substitute or alternative to something previously mentioned.
Examples
“There was no coffee, so I drank tea instead.”
“The restaurant was too crowded, so we decided to order a pizza and eat at home instead.”
“Rather than investing in traditional advertising, the startup focused its resources on social media engagement instead, hoping to build a more direct relationship with its target audience.”
Examples
simple
“There was no coffee, so I drank tea instead.”
contextual
“The restaurant was too crowded, so we decided to order a pizza and eat at home instead.”
complex
“Rather than investing in traditional advertising, the startup focused its resources on social media engagement instead, hoping to build a more direct relationship with its target audience.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “instead” in context.
Usage
Typically placed at the end of a clause or sentence. When used at the start of a sentence to introduce an alternative, it is usually followed by a comma.
Pitfall
I stayed home instead to go out.
I stayed home instead of going out.
When followed by the alternative being rejected, 'instead' must be paired with 'of' and a noun or gerund.
Etymology
From in + stead, from Middle English ine (“in”) + stede (“stead”). Related to German statt.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/instead