instead because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instead because" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It is not usable as it combines two conjunctions that serve different purposes, creating confusion in meaning. Example: "I wanted to go for a walk instead because it was raining."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But let'snot get too emotional and maudlin, and celebrate our good fortune instead, because... it's on!

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, because he was in Poland, he chose struggle.

The Economist

Instead, because "I'm quite busy, I've never had the time".

The New York Times

But instead because he's had a moral change of heart.

Independent

Instead, because he was exhausted, another soldier took the wheel.

The New York Times

"It came about instead because of the courts".

The New York Times

They had told him, instead, because he was a boy.

The New Yorker

Instead – because this is harder – let's concentrate on their weaknesses.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, because it shared components with Ford's cheaper Mondeo, the X-type damaged Jaguar's brand.

The Economist

It is highly valuable, instead, because a reader has scribbled in the margins of its pages.

The New York Times - Books

Purification tablets were delivered instead because it was considered cheaper and simpler, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "instead because" in formal writing. Replace it with grammatically correct alternatives like "rather than because" or restructure the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Don't combine "instead" and "because" directly. "Instead" introduces an alternative, while "because" explains a reason. Using them together creates an ungrammatical sentence. Choose the correct connector based on your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instead because" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to link an alternative action with a reason. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is grammatically incorrect. Examples show the phrase used to introduce a substituted action and its cause, but its usage is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

34%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "instead because" appears frequently, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to combine the functions of "instead" (introducing an alternative) and "because" (providing a reason) in a way that doesn't conform to standard English. While it appears in various sources, including News & Media and Science, its use is generally considered informal. For clear and grammatically sound writing, it's best to opt for alternatives like "rather than because" or restructure the sentence to express the alternative and its reason separately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather than because

Replaces "instead" with "rather than" to indicate a preference while still providing a reason.

instead of because

Uses "instead of" to show a substitution, followed by the reason for that substitution.

due to this, instead

Indicates the reason first, then uses "instead" to show an alternative action or state.

alternatively, because

Uses "alternatively" to introduce another option, then provides the reason for that option.

as a substitute, because

Emphasizes the replacement aspect with "as a substitute", followed by the reason.

in place of that, because

Highlights the act of replacing something with "in place of that", followed by the explanation.

as a replacement, because

Highlights the replacement aspect with "as a replacement", followed by the explanation.

on the contrary, because

Introduces an opposite action or idea, then provides the reason.

by contrast, because

Highlights the difference with "by contrast", then gives the reason.

the alternative is because

Explicitly states that something is the alternative and proceeds with the reason.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "instead" and "because" in the same sentence?

You can use them in separate clauses, ensuring each conjunction serves its purpose. For example: "I chose the apple, not the orange. Instead, because I was hungry, I ate a banana."

What can I say instead of "instead because"?

You can use alternatives like "rather than because" or "instead of because" depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to use "instead because"?

While some instances of "instead because" appear in writing, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It is better to use alternative phrasing for clarity and correctness.

What is the difference between "instead because" and "rather than because"?

"Instead because" is generally considered ungrammatical. "Rather than because" is a grammatically sound alternative, clearly indicating a preference along with a reason.