"instead of why" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express a contrast or alternative between two options or reasons. Example: Instead of asking why I was late, my boss simply reminded me to be on time in the future.
They wear rags on their feet instead of — why not? — rubber from tires of useless cars.
They're explaining "why we should be more rational" instead of "why we should bring more passion into politics".
Instead of "Why Didn't You Call Me," there's "Harry," in which she tells an eager man that she doesn't want to be his girlfriend, only his bedmate.
No one knows, possibly because we have been asking the wrong question—"Why is there war?" instead of "Why is there peace?" There have been some suggestions, all unproven.
"Hopefully, we'll string some more wins together, and we'll be talking about fun stuff instead of why we stink," said Al Leiter, who won for the third time in four starts to improve to 9-7.
Nothing changes because lobbyists just write another check or politicians start worrying about how to win the next election instead of why they should or because they focus on who's up and who's down instead of who matters.
Instead of questioning why life often feels meaningless, why we feel so alienated and inadequate, we turn these beliefs inward.
Instead of asking "Why should we change?" Ask "Why shouldn't we change?" Instead of saying "It'll never work that way".
Instead of evaluating why Entourage is shit, let's ask why it once worked.
So instead of asking why is Chamillionaire here, we should be asking why isn't everybody else in rap game here.
Instead of asking why "they" let it happen, maybe we should ask why we let it happen.
