choose instead of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "choose instead of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when referring to a choice between two options. For example, "I chose to stay at home instead of going out".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

In the short term, it's the path of least resistance, the motorway you choose instead of taking the winding road.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's better to start from creating a compelling experience and letting the player choose instead of trying to push things to the player," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

Execution is the act of parsing out responsibility for those choices, making sure people actually choose (instead of waffling around in indecision).

Harvard Business Review

A confident prosecutor may not want to risk missing the toughest conviction, however, and a confident defense lawyer may not want to risk giving the jurors a lesser charge that they can choose instead of acquittal.

The New York Times

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan — with private H.M.O.'s or P.P.O.'s that you may choose, instead of original Medicare — you should also check to see if your plan is still the best available option.

The New York Times

The principal agency problem which occurs in things as small as a grocery store is that the employee's agents choose, instead of serving the purposes of the owners or the country, choose to serve purposes of their own.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

A vault installation was chosen instead of a self-shielded machine for improved access and ease of maintenance.

Molecular Imaging & Biology

It is important to explain why a specific membrane filtration concept is chosen instead of conventional techniques.

Desalination

Tapered steel members are often chosen instead of prismatic due to a better cross-section utilization along the member, which makes them an interesting and more economical alternative.

Engineering Structures

A square pulse has been chosen, instead of a sinusoidal one, to increase the transmission efficiency and to decrease the tailing effect.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Thus, in order to improve hydrophobicity of the DNA pool, nucleotide with hydrophobic modification 5- octa1,7-diynyl -2′-deoxyuridine 5- octa1,7-diynyl -2′-deoxyuridine 5- octa1,7-diynyl -2′-deoxyuridine 5- octa1,7-diynyl -2′-deoxyuridine 5- octa1,7-diynyl -2��-deoxyuridine

Methods

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "choose instead of", ensure that the context clearly indicates both the selected option and the alternative being rejected for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "choose instead of" in scenarios where a simpler verb like "choose" or "select" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or convoluted. Instead, reserve it for situations where you specifically want to emphasize the alternative that was not chosen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "choose instead of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a preference or selection of one option over another. It highlights the decision-making process, showing that a conscious choice was made, as supported by examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "choose instead of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a preference or selection between options. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and appropriate for written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, and its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of writing styles. While alternatives like "opt for" or "prefer" may be more appropriate in certain situations, "choose instead of" effectively highlights the conscious decision-making process and the rejection of an alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opt for rather than

This alternative emphasizes a deliberate decision in favor of something else.

favor over

Highlights the act of favoring something against something else.

select in place of

This suggests a more formal and direct substitution of one thing for another.

go with rather than

This suggests a more casual and simple decision.

take as opposed to

This is used when describing the action of taking something over an alternative thing.

pick over

Implies a more casual selection.

adopt instead of

Suggests a purposeful implementation of an idea rather than another.

would rather

Expresses a preference or willingness to do one thing over another.

prefer to

Focuses on the element of preference in the decision.

use in lieu of

This denotes a formal or technical swap.

FAQs

How do I use "choose instead of" in a sentence?

Use "choose instead of" to show a preference for one option over another. For example, "I "chose to stay home" instead of going to the party".

What can I say instead of "choose instead of"?

Alternatives include "opt for rather than", "select in place of", or simply "prefer", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what I am choosing instead of?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the alternative provides clarity and context, making your preference more explicit. Omitting the alternative is acceptable if it's already implied.

What's the difference between "choose instead of" and "prefer"?

"Prefer" simply expresses a liking for one thing over another. "Choose instead of" emphasizes the act of selecting one option while consciously rejecting another. The phrase "choose instead of" highlights the decision-making process.