but instead that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but instead that" is not correct and does not work in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I wanted to go to the beach, but instead that I chose to stay home."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Aston Villa seemed to have floored their hosts when Carles Gil made it 2-0 midway through the second half but instead that goal turned out to be the catalyst to another extraordinary Leicester comeback.

The Guardian - Sport

The logical thing would be for two blocs to ally, but instead that's not happening".

The New York Times

Further, suppose that the instrument is not valid, but instead that, as seems plausible, U.S. industry booms predict booms in the same industry in China.

IZA Journal of Migration

Swayze said he did not consider it his breakthrough movie but instead that it launched his career into "hyperspace".

Independent

But what Colbert's persona emphasized was not that he had changed things, but instead that he had "samed the world".

The New Yorker

As Matthew Schmitz puts it, "it is not that with bigger families life is necessarily happier, but instead that it is richer, denser.

The New York Times

He had hoped to receive the green jacket from his friend and countryman Charl Schwartzel, the defending champion, but instead that goose-bump moment went to Watson.

The New York Times - Sports

He said that he was not suggesting a default, but instead that the government could seek to repurchase debt for less than the face value of the securities.

The New York Times

According to many executives, Mr. Syron was also warned that the firm needed to expand its capital cushion, but instead that safety net shrank.

The New York Times

It's not that my memory improved but, instead, that I started archiving these events and ideas with my phone, as photographs.

The New Yorker

"Many Europeans insist that they shouldn't have to prove these techniques are detrimental to their security but, instead, that governments should have to prove these techniques actually are necessary".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "but instead that" in formal writing. Replace it with clearer alternatives like "but rather" or "instead of that" to maintain grammatical correctness and improve readability.

Common error

A common mistake is using "but instead that" in an attempt to add emphasis, which instead creates a clumsy and grammatically unsound sentence. Simplify your writing by choosing a direct and clear contrasting conjunction such as "however" or "yet".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but instead that" functions as a conjunction, attempting to introduce a contrasting element or alternative to a previously mentioned idea. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, lacking clarity and proper structure in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "but instead that" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It is used to introduce a contrast or alternative, but clearer options like "but rather" or "instead of that" are recommended. Its presence in news, media, and scientific contexts does not validate its usage; writers should avoid this construction to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. Using more direct conjunctions such as "however" or rephrasing the sentence can significantly improve writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but rather

Replaces "instead that" with a more concise and grammatically sound alternative. It focuses on introducing the preferred option or outcome.

instead of that

Offers a direct replacement, focusing on what action or event occurred in place of something else. It is clearer and more grammatically accepted.

however

Provides a simple contrast, indicating a shift from a previous statement or expectation, acting as a conjunction to connect contrasting ideas.

on the contrary

Emphasizes a direct opposition to a previous statement, highlighting a strong difference in facts or beliefs.

conversely

Introduces a statement that reverses the situation or idea presented earlier, offering a reciprocal perspective.

yet

Indicates a contrast or something surprising following a previous statement, acting as a simple but effective conjunction.

nevertheless

Highlights a contrast despite what has just been mentioned, showing that the previous point does not negate the following one.

nonetheless

Similar to 'nevertheless', this emphasizes that despite a previous point, the following information still holds true.

but on the other hand

Expresses an opposing aspect or viewpoint, introducing a balanced consideration of different perspectives.

alternatively

Suggests another option or possibility, providing a different course of action or outcome from what was previously mentioned.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "but instead that"?

You can use alternatives like "but rather", "instead of that", or "however" for clearer and more grammatically correct sentences.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but instead that"?

No, "but instead that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives that provide a more direct and clear contrast.

How can I improve my writing by avoiding "but instead that"?

Focus on using concise conjunctions such as "yet", "nevertheless", or rephrasing the sentence to directly contrast the ideas without the added phrase.

What's the difference between "but instead that" and "but rather"?

"But rather" is a grammatically sound way to introduce a more accurate or appropriate statement, while "but instead that" is considered incorrect. "But rather" offers a cleaner and more effective contrast.