instead because of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instead because of" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It is a contradictory combination of words that does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I chose to stay home instead because of the rain." (This example is awkward and unclear.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Rudolph estimates that 30% or more of his students are interested in starting their own businesses--but, he notes, most will join retail chain pharmacies instead "because of the sheer number of jobs available and the supply and demand for pharmacists today".

Science Magazine

We picked Colleen's album as the album of the month this month, and I was supposed to arm wrestle her after her set, but just bought a t-shirt and left instead, because, of course I did.

Vice

"It came about instead because of the courts".

The New York Times

Instead, because of a birdie from Woods, the favorites finally earned honors.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, because of the way the state law was written, it endures.

The New York Times

Instead, because of the yearlong halt on new drilling, production is about 700,000 barrels a day lower than forecast.

The New York Times

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy objected to Finland, plumping for Parma instead, because of its famous ham.

The New York Times

Instead, because of the quirks of quantum mechanics, they should glow ever so faintly, like smouldering embers in a dying fire.

The Economist

Instead, because of four suspensions, including one to the 6-foot-9 Gates, the Bearcats switched to a lineup primarily consisting of four guards.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

More broadly, the confrontation between secularism and popular religious movements, which might in the best of circumstances provide for a fruitful interaction of opinions, instead because of local, regional, and global factors created an atmosphere of tension and repression that was often not conducive to creative thought.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another agent could mean, and therefore think, something different by "water"—the substance XYZ instead because of differences in the environment and history of acquisition of their concept.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a substitution and a reason, use "instead of because of" or "rather than due to" for clarity.

Common error

Using "instead because of" often creates confusing sentences. Instead, clarify your writing by separating the substitution from the reason.

Linguistic Context

Functionally, the phrase "instead because of" attempts to connect a substitution with its cause. However, its structure is grammatically questionable, leading to unclear sentences. Ludwig AI notes this as grammatically incorrect. Using clearer alternatives enhances comprehension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "instead because of" appears relatively frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended purpose is to link a substitution with its cause, but the phrase's awkward structure often leads to unclear sentences. For clearer and more grammatically sound writing, consider alternatives such as "rather than due to" or "instead of because of". These alternatives provide a more precise way to express both the substitution and the reason behind it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instead of because of

Uses "instead of" to highlight the substitution, before explaining the reason.

rather than due to

Replaces "instead" with "rather than", emphasizing preference against the reason.

not because of, but due to

Emphasizes contrast; something is not due to one reason, but to another.

due to... rather than...

Reverse order, putting the true cause first and the rejected cause last.

owing to... as opposed to...

Formal replacement for causal relationships.

on account of... not...

States reason and excludes another potential reason.

by virtue of... rather than...

More formal and emphasizes the characteristic that leads to the result.

in light of... as opposed to...

Highlights the information considered rather than the alternative.

considering... instead of...

Highlights the information being considered.

taking into account... over...

Focuses on weighing information to make a decision.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "instead because of" in a sentence?

You can replace "instead because of" with phrases like "rather than due to" or "instead of because of" to improve clarity.

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "instead because of"?

Consider using "not because of, but due to" to emphasize a contrast in reasons, or simply restructure the sentence for better flow.

Is it ever correct to use "instead because of"?

While "instead because of" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically awkward. Aim for clearer alternatives in formal writing.

What's the difference between "instead of" and "instead because of"?

"Instead of" indicates a substitution, while "instead because of" attempts to combine substitution and causation, often resulting in an unclear or grammatically incorrect phrase. Use "instead of" to show replacement, then introduce the reason separately if needed.