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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
just instead of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "just instead of" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to suggest a substitution or alternative, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "You should use the new method just instead of the old one."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
9 human-written examples
So I'll just, instead of averaging I'm differencing.
Kenny Anderson, then me, the whole thing just, instead of going forward, went backward.
News & Media
It's just, instead of talking over their back fence, they're on Facebook or whatever, and it's still the same function.
News & Media
Just instead of the capture probe sequences, it is confirmed that the assembly of DNA with CNTs enables quantitative analysis of the different types of targets, including nucleic acid, Hg2+ and thrombin.
Just instead of getting us to help each other answer questions, Super could show us who feels the same way.
News & Media
You're still angry, it's just instead of coming out, that anger just worms its way into your stomach".
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
51 human-written examples
Robespierre and Saint-Just, instead of arming their own militia, as they might well have done — they started a military academy — went on perorating, until, on July 27 , 1794 the members of the Convention turned on them, out of fear for their own necks.
News & Media
According to a similar regimen of brief periods of ischemia applied just after, instead of just before, sustained ischemia was shown to be as protective as preconditioning.
Science
Zhao et al. reported that a similar regimen of brief periods of ischemia applied just after, instead of just before, sustained ischemia was as protective as preconditioning, named as 'post-conditioning' (PC) [ 4, 5].
Science
you can just do just sweat instead of doing individual dances.
Wiki
The nonjudging aspect of mindfulness involves decentering from mental events and allowing thoughts to be "just thoughts" or affects to be "just feelings" instead of overidentifying with them.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Replace "just instead of" with clearer alternatives like "simply instead of" or "rather than" to enhance readability and grammatical correctness.
Common error
Avoid using "just instead of" in formal writing as it can sound awkward. Opt for more direct and grammatically sound options like "rather than" or "in place of" to maintain clarity.
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "just instead of" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a substitution or alternative. While it appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically awkward and can be improved by using more concise alternatives.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Wiki
30%
Science
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Academia
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "just instead of" is relatively common, it is considered grammatically incorrect and can be improved. Ludwig AI suggests using more concise and clearer alternatives such as "simply instead of" or "rather than". Predominantly found in news, wiki, and scientific sources, its register leans towards informal, making it less suitable for academic or formal business contexts. When writing, it's advisable to opt for grammatically sound substitutions to enhance clarity and professionalism.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
simply instead of
Replaces "just" with "simply" for a more direct substitution.
only instead of
Uses "only" to emphasize exclusivity in the substitution.
rather than
A more concise and grammatically standard way to express preference.
in place of
Indicates a direct replacement, often in a more formal context.
as opposed to
Highlights the contrast between two options.
instead
A shorter and simpler way to indicate an alternative.
in lieu of
A formal alternative to "instead of", suggesting a substitution.
by way of substitution for
A more verbose and formal substitution expression.
as a replacement for
Clearly indicates that one thing is being used to replace another.
utilizing... in preference to...
A formal and somewhat complex way of stating a preference.
FAQs
What are some alternatives to "just instead of"?
You can use phrases like "simply instead of", "rather than", or "in place of" for better clarity.
Is it grammatically correct to use "just instead of"?
While used, "just instead of" is generally considered grammatically awkward. Opt for clearer and more concise alternatives.
How can I improve my sentence that uses "just instead of"?
Replace "just instead of" with more precise language. For example, instead of saying "Use this just instead of that", try "Use this rather than that".
What is the difference between "just instead of" and "instead of"?
While both indicate a substitution, "instead of" is more direct and grammatically preferred. The addition of "just" doesn't add meaning and can sound redundant.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested