Word · CEFR A2 · Frequency #1274
instead
代替；作为替代
As a substitute or alternative to something mentioned earlier.
- 1.
In the place of something (usually mentioned earlier); as a substitute or alternative.
代替；作为替代或备选方案。
- 2.
in place of, or as an alternative to
代替,作为替代
- 3.
on the contrary
相反地
相反；反而；代替；作为替代或备选方案。；代替,作为替代；相反地；作为替代
In use
I didn't have any coffee, so I drank tea instead.
She decided to stay home instead of going to the party.
He wanted to buy a car, but he bought a bicycle instead.
Felix became a herpetologist instead
he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter
used English terms instead of Latin ones
instead of + noun/gerund
表示用前者替代后者。
I'll have tea instead of coffee.
我要喝茶而不是咖啡。
instead (as a sentence adverb)
Connections
Collocations
- instead of
- 替代，而不是
- I will have tea instead of coffee.我喝茶替代咖啡。
- or instead
- 或者替代
- You can use sugar, or instead, try honey.你可以用糖，或者试试蜂蜜。
- but instead
- 而是
- He didn't go; but instead, he stayed home.他没去，而是呆在家里。
- instead, ...
- 反而，却
- Instead, she decided to leave.反而，她决定离开。
- instead of doing
- 而不是做
- Instead of arguing, they discussed.他们讨论了，而不是争吵。
Synonyms
Learner notes
Memory Tip
把instead拆成in+stead（位置），想象新事物'代替'了旧位置。
Context & Register
中性；多用于建议或对比语境，表示替代。
Grammar Note
常置于句首或句末；注意与介词短语 'instead of' 区分。
Pronunciation & Spelling
These words share the spelling ending '-ead' and are pronounced with the vowel /ɛd/, matching the stressed syllable of 'instead'. However, note that some words ending in '-ead' (e.g., 'read' present tense, 'lead' verb) are pronounced with /iːd/ and do not rhyme.
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 4，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.