instead of being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instead of being" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to suggest a different action instead of the one mentioned in the sentence. For example: "Instead of being surprised by his actions, she recognized them as being predictable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead of being compressed, it blossoms.

The New Yorker

Instead of being vengeful, he is courtly.

The New York Times

Yet instead of being grateful, they revolted.

The New York Times

"Instead of being in corrugations.

The Guardian - Books

Instead of being afraid, he was professional.

The New York Times - Sports

"He drove himself, instead of being driven.

The New York Times

"Instead of being round, it's oval".

The New York Times

Instead of being rusty, he was excellent.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of being tentative, they were determined.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead of being rueful, Wolf is realistic.

The New York Times

We are reacting instead of being strategic.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "instead of being" to clearly present a contrasting action or state, ensuring the alternative is distinctly different and understandable to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "instead of being" in overly complex sentences where simpler alternatives like "rather than" or restructuring the sentence would improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instead of being" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a contrasting state or action. Ludwig highlights its role in setting up an alternative to the state or condition being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

18%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "instead of being" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast or alternative state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Common in news, academic writing, and general discussions, it serves to reframe situations and suggest different approaches. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to avoid overuse in overly complex sentences, opting for simpler alternatives when clarity is paramount. Remember to consider alternatives like "rather than be" or "as opposed to being" to diversify your writing and ensure precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather than be

Emphasizes the preference against the state of being described.

in place of being

Highlights the substitution of one state for another.

as opposed to being

Directly contrasts the described state with an alternative.

contrary to being

Indicates a situation that is the opposite of the one stated.

in lieu of being

Formally substitutes one state for another, often in legal contexts.

as a substitute for being

Stresses the act of replacing one condition with another.

instead be

A more concise way to suggest an alternative action or state.

alternatively being

Suggests an alternate state or condition is in play.

by not being

Focuses on avoiding a particular state or condition.

rather than the state of

Introduces a complete shift from a status quo.

FAQs

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

Use "instead of being" to introduce a contrast between what is not happening and what is happening, such as "Instead of being upset, she chose to be proactive".

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

You can use alternatives like "rather than be", "in place of being", or "as opposed to being" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "instead of being" or "instead to be"?

"Instead of being" is the correct form. "Instead of" is a preposition that requires a gerund (being) after it, while "instead to be" is grammatically incorrect.

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

"Instead of being" is used when you want to contrast a state of existence, while "instead of" is used more generally to contrast actions or things. For example, "Instead of being sad, she smiled" versus "Instead of cake, I'll have fruit".