instead of making

USAGE SUMMARY

"instead of making" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a way to express an alternative course of action. For example, "I decided to go to the movies instead of making dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead of making drama, he makes noise.

The New Yorker

Drives away instead of making change.

The New Yorker

Instead of making history we are made by history.

Stanford University

We're trying to educate now instead of making people angry".

The New York Times

Instead of making connections, I distracted myself with meaningless games.

The New Yorker

Attacking a person instead of making an argument.

The New Yorker

Instead of making the case for this agenda, they retreated.

The Guardian

Instead of making me tense, he made me relax.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of making ice cream, they made hot chocolate.

The New York Times

Instead of making it difficult, Henry accepted it.

The New Yorker

"You write long letters instead of making a phone call.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instead of making", ensure that the alternative action you are presenting is clearly and directly contrasted with the action being replaced. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid disrupting parallel structure after "instead of making". Ensure the grammatical form of the alternative action aligns with the original action being replaced, such as using a gerund after "instead of making" + gerund. For example, use "instead of making dinner, order takeout" instead of "instead of making dinner, I will order takeout".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instead of making" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an alternative action or state. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating a substitution or preference. Ludwig's examples confirm this function, showing its role in presenting contrasting choices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instead of making" is a versatile phrase used to introduce alternative actions or choices. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific domains. To ensure clarity, maintain parallel structure when using the phrase. Consider alternatives like "rather than making" for similar meanings. Overall, "instead of making" is a reliable way to present options and preferences in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather than making

Emphasizes preference for one action over another, very similar in meaning.

in place of making

Highlights the substitution of one action for another.

as opposed to making

Draws a contrast between two actions, emphasizing the alternative choice.

as a substitute for making

Formally indicates replacing one action with another.

in lieu of making

A more formal way of saying "instead of", indicating a substitution.

alternatively, making

Introduces an alternative action, less direct than "instead of".

on the other hand, making

Presents a contrasting action, indicating a different approach.

rather do than make

Expresses a preference for a different action, altering the sentence structure.

choose to do rather than make

Explicitly states the choice to perform a different action.

opt to do instead of making

Highlights the conscious decision to select an alternative action.

FAQs

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

Use "instead of making" to show an alternative action or choice. For example, "Instead of making a purchase, consider borrowing the item from a friend."

What's a more formal alternative to "instead of making"?

A more formal alternative includes phrases such as "in lieu of making" or "as a substitute for making" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is there a subtle difference between "instead of making" and "rather than making"?

"Instead of making" and "rather than making" are often interchangeable, but "rather than making" can sometimes suggest a stronger preference for the alternative.

Can I use "instead of making" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "instead of making" can start a sentence to introduce an alternative action. For example, "Instead of making assumptions, ask for clarification."