instead at this time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instead at this time" is not correct in English.
It seems to be a mix of two phrases, "instead" and "at this time," which do not naturally fit together. Example: "We will focus on the project next week instead at this time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Instead, at this time point, virtually the whole population became apoptotic.

British Journal of Cancer

Cell proliferation dropped significantly on Day 8. Coincidently, we found that cell apoptosis increased instead at this time.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

No such HIM-3-negative cells were observed in the control [ puf-8 ] germlines; instead, at this time point, primary spermatocytes and spermatids were present in the proximal part of these germlines.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Instead, at the time Operation Trident was set up, about three-quarters were.London's black gunmen are not the insouciant killers of American and tabloid legend.

The Economist

Instead – at the time he released "the biggest intelligence leak in history" – he was employed by a private contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH).

Vice

Instead, "General Grant did at this time propose that he and I should step aside" and allow their officers to negotiate, something Pemberton acceded to.

The New York Times

There was no radio or TV at this time: instead, live entertainment was popular, both with locals and visitors to the islands.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Also, the Blackjack runs the maligned Window Mobile 5 OS (at least at this time) instead of the iPhone's slick OS X interface.

TechCrunch

To be fair, Apple makes no mention of 4G LTE on its Australian site at this time, instead referencing "ultrafast wireless".

TechCrunch

Since the SMALL magnetometer is known from years of use to be well aligned with magnetic coordinates, its indication of a negative Y perturbation at this time instead indicates downward field aligned current north of ATH.

Earth, Planets and Space

The peer-reviewed analysis of the flagship industrial development program begun in 1993 by the Clinton Administration argues that it is premature to promote any specific clean-car technology at this time; instead, it recommends more R&D.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "instead at this time" with more standard phrases like "instead, at this time" or "rather, at this moment".

Common error

Be mindful not to combine "instead" directly with "at this time". Use a comma or rephrase to ensure a clear and grammatically correct sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "instead at this time" attempts to function as an adverbial phrase indicating both contrast and temporal context. However, the construction is unconventional and often results in awkward phrasing. Ludwig AI confirms this with its analysis of the phrase's correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "instead at this time" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and stylistically awkward. Ludwig AI validates this assessment. For improved clarity and correctness, it's best to use alternatives like "instead, at this time" or "rather, at this moment". While the intended function is to indicate contrast and temporal context, the unconventional phrasing diminishes effective communication, particularly in formal or scientific writing. Authoritative sources provide examples, yet adopting standard alternatives enhances precision and readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather at this moment

Replaces "instead at this time" with a more concise and temporally specific contrast.

instead for now

Offers a substitution for 'instead at this time', focusing on a temporary replacement.

alternatively at present

Uses "alternatively" as a synonym for "instead" and "at present" to indicate the current time.

conversely right now

Employs "conversely" to show opposition and "right now" to specify the current time.

on the contrary currently

Replaces "instead" with "on the contrary" to express a direct contradiction, and "currently" for temporal context.

instead during this period

Specifies that the action is 'instead' happening 'during this period'.

however at present

Replaces "instead" with "however", and combines it with 'at present' to indicate a contrast in the current timeframe.

in contrast now

Uses "in contrast" to express a difference, while specifying that it is happening "now".

rather at the present time

Replaces 'instead at this time' with 'rather at the present time', which provides a more formal construction.

alternatively in the interim

Suggests doing something "alternatively" and emphasizes the action is happening "in the interim".

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "instead at this time"?

Better alternatives include "instead, at this time" or "rather, at this moment". These options provide better clarity and adhere to standard English grammar.

When is it appropriate to use "instead" and "at this time" in the same sentence?

You can use "instead" and "at this time" in the same sentence when separated by a comma or when used in a rephrased construction that avoids directly combining them. For instance, "There was no radio or TV at this time: "instead", live entertainment was popular".

How can I express contrast and temporal context more effectively than "instead at this time"?

Use phrases like "alternatively at present" or "conversely right now" to clearly indicate contrast and the current timeframe.

Is there a difference in formality between "instead at this time" and its alternatives?

Yes. "Instead at this time" is stylistically awkward and should be avoided. More formal alternatives include "rather at the present time", while less formal options include "instead for now".