instead of this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'instead of this' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something else should be done or should take the place of the prior statement. For example, "I usually exercise in the morning, but today I'm going to go for a swim instead of this."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Instead of this toothless ritual, what should parliament do?

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead of this being a setback, it becomes an opportunity".

The New York Times

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Harvard University

There would have been a dialogue with the department instead of this mess".

The New York Times

"Instead of this wonderful glass jewel, I saw a stucco coffin," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Why didn't you decorate, instead of this Christian church, a Temple of Voluptuous Delight?

The Guardian

Instead of this key refinery or that port falling, it's this square or that compound.

The New Yorker

Imagine if instead of this symphony there had been a new work.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Bloomberg has also talked about this improved feature, but instead of this year has suggested this will come in 2019.

Forbes

I feel comfortable with my hair looking like this instead of like this.

Vice

Tell us this story instead of whatever this thing you're under-budget for is.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether a more formal alternative like "in lieu of this" might be more appropriate for the tone of your document.

Common error

Avoid using "instead of this" in very simple sentences where a direct replacement using "instead" would suffice. For example, prefer "Use a map instead" over "Use a map instead of this" when the 'this' is already obvious.

Linguistic Context

"Instead of this" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing an alternative to something previously mentioned. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It helps to express a preference or suggest a replacement for the prior subject or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

17%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "instead of this" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce an alternative to a previously mentioned subject. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its broad applicability spans various contexts, from news and academic writing to general conversation. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider formality and context; in some cases, alternatives like "rather than this" or "in lieu of this" might be more suitable. Avoid redundancy by simplifying the sentence structure where possible. It's highly relevant to ensure that when using "instead of this", the "this" is understood by the readers in order to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather than this

Emphasizes preference for an alternative, similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

in place of this

Highlights the substitution of one thing for another, often used in formal contexts.

as opposed to this

Contrasts two options, stressing the distinction between them.

alternatively to this

Suggests another possibility, providing an alternative course of action.

in lieu of this

A more formal substitute for "instead of this", indicating replacement.

as a substitute for this

Explicitly states that something is being used as a replacement.

by way of replacement for this

Formal and emphatic, highlighting the act of replacing something.

to replace this

Focuses on the action of replacing, simpler and more direct.

rather than doing this

Highlights replacing an action, suggesting an alternative course.

not this, but something else

Informal way to express contrast; highlights the choice of something else over the present thing.

FAQs

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

Use "instead of this" to suggest an alternative to a previously mentioned action or item. For example, "Instead of buying a new car, consider repairing the old one /s/consider+repairing+the+old+one".

What are some formal alternatives to "instead of this"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "in place of this /s/in+place+of+this", "in lieu of this /s/in+lieu+of+this", or "as opposed to this /s/as+opposed+to+this".

Is it always necessary to include "this" after "instead of"?

No, "this" is not always necessary. If the context is clear, you can often shorten the phrase to simply "instead /s/instead". For instance, "I'll have tea instead of coffee" is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "instead of this" and "rather than this"?

While both phrases indicate an alternative, "rather than this /s/rather+than+this" often implies a stronger preference or contrast compared to "instead of this". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.