insteadof

insteadof — idiom

1. used to say that something or someone takes the position of another, or that you

1.idiomA2
Definition

used to say that something or someone takes the position of another, or that you choose one option and do not choose the other

Example

Walid took the train to work instead of driving his car through the traffic.

instead of + gerund (driving)

You can use honey instead of sugar in this recipe, Reema.

instead of + noun (sugar)

Common collocations
  • instead of + noun
  • instead of + pronoun
  • instead of + gerund
  • Instead of [doing X], [do Y]
Synonyms
  • in place of

    more formal; common in official and written contexts

  • rather than

    focuses on the preferred option rather than simple substitution

Grammar Patterns

instead of + noun

instead of + pronoun

instead of + gerund

Usage Note

This phrase is always written as two separate words: 'instead of', never as one word. It must be followed by a noun, a pronoun, or a gerund (-ing form). It cannot be followed by a clause with a conjugated verb.

Common Mistakes

I went instead he.
I went instead of him.
'instead of' must be followed by a noun phrase or object pronoun, not a subject pronoun.
She stayed home instead to go out.
She stayed home instead of going out.
use a gerund (-ing form) after 'instead of', not an infinitive.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/1

All three expressions indicate that one thing is chosen and another is not. 'Instead of' is the most common in everyday speech and writing, used with nouns or gerunds (e.g. 'instead of coffee', 'instead of waiting'). 'Rather than' is more formal and often stresses a deliberate choice or preference between two options (e.g. 'rather than risk being late, she left early'). 'In place of' is the most formal and concrete, often used in legal, academic, or procedural contexts (e.g. 'a substitute taught in place of the regular teacher'). Use 'instead of' for neutral substitution in everyday situations.

instead of ↗rather than ↗in place of ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

This phrase comes from Middle English 'in stede of', where 'stede' meant 'place' or 'position'. Over time, 'stede' developed into the modern word 'stead', and the phrase 'in stead of' became 'instead of'. It has been used since the 13th century to mean 'in place of someone or something'.

First known use

13th century

13th century, in the meaning defined above