instead
- instead of
‘instead’
Instead is an adverb. You use it when saying what someone does rather than doing something else.
Hema did not answer. Instead she looked out of the taxi window.
I felt like crying, but I managed to smile instead.
‘instead of’
Instead of is a preposition. You use it to introduce something that is not done, not used, or not true, in contrast to something that is done, is used, or is true.
Why not use your bike to get to work instead of your car?
You can have rice instead of potatoes.
You can say that someone does something instead of doing something else.
You could always go camping instead of staying in a hotel.
Why don't you help, instead of standing there and watching?
Be careful
Don't say that someone does something ‘instead to do’ something else.
Don't say that someone does something ‘instead to do’ something else.