instead
in place of, or as an alternative to
How often you will meet it
Rank 629 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 30,591 times across 139,755 chapters — 0.015% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
adverb
- in place of, or as an alternative to also: alternatively, or else Felix became a herpetologist insteadalternatively we could buy a used car
- on the contrary also: rather rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he lefthe didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter
instead in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Such answers complicated, instead of explaining, the problem which occupied Maxence.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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Instead with a dawning amazement he watched Carlos Paredes stroll into view.
The Abandoned Room · Wadsworth Camp · Chapter 1
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Only the youngest had a swan’s wing instead of his left arm.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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Let me into your bosom, happy lady, Pour out, instead of eloquence, my vows.
The White Devil · John Webster · Chapter 1
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You may have said hut instead of cabin, but in substance it's the same.
Following the Equator — Part 1 · Mark Twain · Chapter 1