however instead of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'however instead of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two different options or choices that have been presented. For example: "I was going to eat a sandwich for lunch, however instead of that I opted for a salad."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, instead of being mapped to a keyboard, this is used for playing written music.

Princeton University

However instead of using a joystick to control the ship we used a distance sensor.

Cornell University

However, instead of manufacturing the parts, we have them manufactured by an alternative, available machine shop.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, instead of being a foot like diameter it's you know two or three millimeters.

Harvard University

However, instead of investigating, state bodies have instead gone after Navalny.

The Guardian

However, instead of a humiliation, Cliburn's victory in 1958 was a cause for celebration.

The Guardian - Music

However, instead of the refund, £2,815 was taken out of his Santander bank account.

The Guardian - Money

However, instead of building a computing career, Emwazi ended up on MI5's radar.

The Guardian

"However, instead of co-operating with Nasa we will go ahead with the Russians".

The Guardian

However, instead of time travel, Whitehead's railway takes Cora to different realities within the United States.

The Guardian - Books

However, instead of celebrating, many are accusing the Senate electoral system of distorting Australian democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however instead of" to clearly signal a change in direction or a replacement of one option with another. This phrase works best when contrasting two distinct possibilities or actions.

Common error

Avoid using "however instead of" repetitively in close proximity. Vary your sentence structure with other contrastive conjunctions or transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however instead of" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, indicating a contrast or alternative to a previously stated or implied action or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however instead of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to introduce contrast and substitution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Its application spans across diverse contexts including news, academia, and scientific writing, indicating its versatility. While valuable for clearly marking shifts in direction or preference, mindful writers should avoid overuse to maintain stylistic variety. Consider alternatives like "yet rather than" for nuanced expression. Use "however instead of" to signal that a replacement or alternative is being presented, enriching your writing with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet rather than

Emphasizes a preference or choice in contrast to something else.

but as an alternative to

Highlights the alternative nature of the second option more explicitly.

conversely in place of

Introduces a contrasting element with a sense of substitution.

on the other hand instead

Offers a different perspective while still indicating a replacement.

in contrast rather than

Focuses on the contrasting aspect, emphasizing the difference.

while on the contrary to

Presents an opposing viewpoint or action.

nonetheless as a substitute for

Implies a change despite a previous condition, with a direct substitution.

notwithstanding as a replacement of

Acknowledges a previous situation, then introduces a replacement.

by contrast in lieu of

Emphasizes the contrasting nature while indicating something is provided as a substitute.

though as an alternative to

Introduces a concession before presenting the alternative.

FAQs

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

Use "however instead of" to present a contrasting choice or action following an initial statement. For example, "I planned to go to the beach; however instead of that, I stayed home to study".

What are some alternatives to "however instead of"?

You can use alternatives such as "yet rather than", "but as an alternative to", or "conversely in place of" to express similar contrasting relationships.

Is it redundant to use "however" and "instead of" together?

While "however" and "instead of" can convey similar meanings separately, using them together as "however instead of" emphasizes the contrast and replacement more explicitly. It is grammatically correct but should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy.

What's the difference between "however instead of" and just using "instead of"?

Using "however instead of" introduces a stronger sense of contrast or unexpected change compared to simply using "instead of". "Instead of" directly replaces one thing with another, while "however instead of" adds an element of surprise or deviation from an expected path.