not instead of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not instead of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to clarify that something is being done in addition to something else, rather than as a replacement. Example: "We will be using the new software, not instead of the old one, but alongside it for a smoother transition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not instead of one.

The New York Times

Could you not, instead of tinkering to "perfect" the weightings and formulas, question the basic premise?

Stanford University

Optional courses may be taken in addition to the required courses, not instead of them.

University of California, Berkeley

The Arena production was "not instead of" a Broadway run, he said.

The New York Times

Discretionary interventions should be on top of standing rules, not instead of them.

The Economist

This is in addition to the information required on the Fafsa, not instead of it.

The New York Times

This book, too, adheres mostly to the "as well" and not "instead of" model.

The New Yorker

It works best in conjunction with theatrical, not instead of it, so we welcome it.

The New York Times

Even Mary Poppins advocated the importance of medicine as well as sugar, not instead of.

The Guardian

"In the UK, fracking for shale gas is planned alongside, not instead of, extraction of conventional fossil fuels like coal".

The Guardian

"Funds to help developing countries to tackle climate change must be additional to aid – not instead of it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, follow "not instead of" with a clear explanation of what is being added or included.

Common error

Avoid using "not instead of" when a simple conjunction like 'and' or 'as well as' is sufficient. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not instead of" functions as a conjunctive phrase, used to clarify that something is being added or used alongside something else, not as a replacement. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not instead of" is a common and grammatically correct conjunctive phrase used to emphasize that something is supplementary rather than a replacement. As Ludwig confirms, it serves to clarify and avoid misunderstandings across various contexts. It's prevalent in news, science, and academic writing, making it suitable for a neutral register. To enhance your writing, ensure that you use "not instead of" to clearly show the additive nature of something, and be mindful of avoiding overuse in situations where simpler conjunctions suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as a substitute for

Emphasizes that one thing is not a replacement for another.

not a replacement for

Directly states that one thing does not substitute another.

not in place of

Highlights that something is not taking the position of something else.

in addition to

Indicates something is added rather than replacing something else.

as well as

Expresses inclusion alongside something else.

along with

Similar to "as well as", indicating simultaneous inclusion.

supplemented by

Indicates that something is being added to enhance something else.

together with

Highlights a combined action or state.

coupled with

Suggests a close connection and simultaneous use.

and also

A simple way to add something without replacement.

FAQs

How can I use "not instead of" in a sentence?

Use "not instead of" to clarify that something is additional, rather than a replacement. For example: "We're offering online courses "in addition to" our regular classes, "not instead of" them."

What phrases can I use instead of "not instead of"?

You can use phrases like "as well as", ""in addition to"", or "along with" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not in place of" instead of "not instead of"?

Yes, "not in place of" is a correct and very similar alternative to "not instead of". Both phrases indicate that something is additional, not a replacement.

What's the difference between "not instead of" and "rather than"?

"Not instead of" emphasizes that something is supplementary, while "rather than" indicates a choice between two options, where one is preferred over the other.