instead they are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instead they are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to contrast two ideas or to clarify that something is not the case and to present an alternative situation or fact. Example: "Many people think the results will be negative; instead they are positive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, instead, they are counterprogramming.

The New York Times

Instead, they are doing worse.

The New York Times

Instead, they are being slashed.

Independent

Instead, they are the experience.

The New York Times

Instead, they are thinking small.

The Economist

Instead they are recovered later.

Journal of Systems and Software

Instead, they are laughable.

The Guardian

Instead they are laughing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, they are disintegrating.

The Guardian - Music

Instead, they are political.

The New York Times

Instead, they are reduced to taking fliers.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instead they are", ensure a clear contrast with a previously stated or implied condition to make the alternative more impactful. For example: "They were expected to fail; "instead they are" thriving."

Common error

Avoid using "instead they are" without establishing a distinct contrast or expectation. This can lead to confusion. Ensure that the 'instead' clearly indicates an alternative to a previously mentioned or implied situation. For instance, avoid: "They arrived late; instead they are tired." A clearer sentence would provide an expectation: "They were expected to be energetic, but "instead they are" tired."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instead they are" functions as a contrastive connector, introducing an alternative state or action to something previously mentioned or implied. Ludwig shows its use across varied contexts, highlighting its role in presenting a deviation from expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instead they are" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a contrast or alternative to a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, particularly news and media. When using this phrase, ensure a clear contrast is established for maximum impact. Alternatives like "rather they are" or "conversely, they are" can offer nuanced variations in tone and emphasis. Remembering these points will allow you to effectively and accurately incorporate "instead they are" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conversely, they happen to be

Replaces "instead" with "conversely", emphasizing the contrast, and uses "happen to be" as a more descriptive form of "are".

rather, they represent

Replaces "instead" with "rather", softening the contrast, and changes "are" to "represent" to indicate a symbolic meaning.

on the contrary, they turn out to be

Uses "on the contrary" to strongly emphasize the opposite and "turn out to be" to suggest a discovery.

alternatively, these are

Replaces "instead" with "alternatively" to suggest a different option and uses "these" for specificity.

in contrast, they embody

Uses "in contrast" to highlight the difference and changes "are" to "embody" for a more figurative sense.

but, in reality, they consist of

Adds "but, in reality" for emphasis and changes "are" to "consist of" to specify composition.

however, their role involves

Replaces "instead" with "however", indicating a contrast, and uses "their role involves" for a more specific description.

yet, essentially they are

Uses "yet" to signal a contrast and "essentially" to highlight the fundamental nature.

to the contrary, they seem like

Emphasizes the opposition using "to the contrary" and "seem like" to indicate appearance.

actually, they function as

Replaces "instead" with "actually" to highlight the true nature and changes "are" to "function as" for a specific role.

FAQs

How can I use "instead they are" in a sentence to show contrast?

Use "instead they are" to introduce an alternative situation that contradicts a previously stated or implied one. For example: "The company was predicted to fail; "instead they are" reporting record profits."

What phrases are similar to "instead they are" to indicate an alternative?

Similar phrases include "rather they are", "conversely they are", or "on the contrary, they are", each offering a slightly different emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "instead they are"?

While it's more common to find "instead they are" within a sentence to connect contrasting ideas, starting a sentence with "instead" is grammatically acceptable if it clearly refers back to a previous statement or context.

How does the formality of "instead they are" compare to its alternatives?

"Instead they are" is generally neutral in tone. Alternatives like "conversely they are" or "on the contrary they are" might be perceived as more formal, while a simpler construction like "but they are" is more informal.