1instead of somebody/somethingused to say what is not used, does not happen etc, when something else is used, happens etc 代替…;而不是…
You probably picked up my keys instead of yours.
你可能没拿你的钥匙而错拿了我的。
Could I have tuna instead of ham?
我可否要金枪鱼来代替火腿?
Instead of being annoyed, he seemed quite pleased.
他没有生气,反而似乎很高兴。
2INSTEADused to say what is done, when you have just said that a particular thing is not done 相反;而;却
Geoff didn’t study law. Instead, he decided to become an actor.
杰夫没学法律,相反,他决定当演员。
If Jo can’t attend the meeting, I could go instead.
如果乔不能去开会,我可以代他去。
nTHESAURUS
instead used when saying that a particular thing is used or happens and not another thing, or that someone does something and not another person
There were no single rooms, so I booked a double instead.
Chris couldn't go to the meeting, so I said that I would go instead.
Can I have soup instead of salad?
I really wished it had been me instead of him.
rather than instead of something or someone – often used when someone does something instead of doing another thing, because it seems better or more suitable
Rather than driving around all day looking for somewhere to park, why don’t you take a bus into town?
A lot of people are choosing to rent rather than buy their own homes.
I’d say it was warm rather than hot.
It might be better if you asked him rather than me.
in somebody/something’s place having the position or role that something or someone else once had
The factory was demolished and flats were built in its place.
If I refused to go, they would send someone else in my place.
on behalf of somebody/on somebody’s behalf instead of someone or as their representative
She asked the doctor to speak to her parents on her behalf.
He collected the award on behalf of his sister.
in favour ofBritish EnglishBrE, in favor ofAmerican EnglishAmE used when something is not chosen or used, because something else seems much better
The original plan was abandoned in favour of a new proposal.
She was rejected for the job in favor of a more experienced teacher.
in preference to formal used when something is chosen or used because it seems much better than something else
What makes customers choose one brand in preference to another?
Examples from the Corpus
instead• I can't manageThursday. Can we meet on Fridayinstead?• Jo couldn't go to the meeting, so I said I'd go instead.• We didn't have enough money for a movie, so we went to the parkinstead.• We didn't have enough money to go to a movie, so we went to the park instead.• Cardew did not join the navy. Instead, he decided to join the theater and become an actor.• Gillespie will play in midfieldinstead of Cochrane.• You should talk to your teacherinstead of just complaining to me about it.• Can I have soupinstead of salad?• I can't understandwhy they chose him instead of you -- you're much better qualified for the job.