choice instead of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "choice instead of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing alternatives or preferences between two options. Example: "I prefer to make a choice instead of following the crowd blindly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Their first two daughters ran away with men of their choice instead of marrying the ones the family selected.

The New Yorker

Will people start reaching out to sustainable farms as a financial choice instead of a value-based choice?

The Guardian - Opinion

As happens in opera, the Met had to settle for second choice instead of the vehicular diva it really wanted.

The New York Times

American experts voiced concern that such attacks might be the new terrorist strike of choice instead of suicide bombings.

The New York Times

One is natural human inertia, or laziness, that favors making the quick, easy choice instead of exerting the mental energy to make a different one.

The New York Times - Tech

As a result, entrepreneurs could chip away at "the Spirit of 45" by offering individuality and choice instead of security and protection.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"We're giving customers three choices instead of 10".

The Guardian

People should make their own choices, instead of waiting like sheep for Ms. Winfrey's pronouncements.

The New York Times

He set up screen menus to include 6 choices instead of 20 and to consolidate other choices.

The New York Times

They mean confronting the hard choices, instead of promising more bounty for everyone with no sacrifice ever.

The New York Times

Surprisingly, just under half of the pupils had never been advised to look at these choices instead of getting a degree.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "choice instead of" to emphasize that a decision or selection is being made, rather than simply accepting a default or pre-existing condition.

Common error

Avoid using "choice instead of" when the sentence already implies a selection. For example, avoid saying "making a choice of choice instead of..." since the first "choice" is redundant. Simplify to "making a "choice instead of"..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "choice instead of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an alternative or preference. It highlights the act of selecting one option over another. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "choice instead of" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate a preference or alternative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It's important to avoid redundancy, such as "making a choice of choice instead of", and to use the phrase when you want to emphasize the act of selecting one option over another. Related phrases like "rather than" and "in lieu of" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instead of

Indicates a substitution or replacement.

rather than

A common and direct substitute, emphasizing preference.

as opposed to

Highlights a contrast between two options.

in place of

Implies a direct replacement of one thing with another.

in preference to

Clearly states a favored option.

in lieu of

A more formal substitute, often used in legal or official contexts.

as a substitute for

Explicitly indicates that one thing is being used as a replacement for another.

alternatively to

Suggests another option that can be taken.

opposed to

Highlights the contrasting nature of the two options.

contrary to

Emphasizes the opposition between the choices.

FAQs

How can I use "choice instead of" in a sentence?

The phrase "choice instead of" is used to indicate a preference or alternative. For example: "I made the "choice instead of" accepting the default option."

What are some alternatives to "choice instead of"?

You can use alternatives such as "rather than", "in lieu of", or "as opposed to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "making a choice of choice instead of"?

No, it is redundant. The correct usage is "making a "choice instead of"..."

What's the difference between "choice instead of" and "option instead of"?

While similar, "choice instead of" emphasizes the act of selecting, whereas "option instead of" simply presents an alternative. Consider: "The course offered a "choice instead of" a fixed curriculum" versus "The course presented an "option instead of" a fixed curriculum".