1. as a substitute or replacement
作為替代；取而代之
We ran out of milk, so I used cream instead.
我們牛奶用完了，所以我改用鮮奶油。
If you don't want coffee, you can have tea instead.
如果你不想喝咖啡，可以改喝茶。
Instead Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
instead
adverb
快速理解
What does "Instead" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Instead"?
表示替代或轉換，用於說明選擇或發生的是另一件事物或情況。
- 1
替代選擇
EN: as a substitute or replacement
翻譯: 表示用一個事物或行動來取代另一個。
- 2
轉換情況
EN: in contrast or as an alternative to what was expected
翻譯: 表示實際發生的情況與預期不同，發生了轉變。
- 3
偏好選擇
EN: indicating a preference for one option over another
翻譯: 表示在兩個或多個選項中，選擇了其中一個。
小提醒：注意「instead」通常不單獨使用，後面常接「of」來帶出被替代的事物（instead of something），或放在句尾表示轉折。
發音（How to Pronounce "Instead" in English）
How to pronounce "Instead" in English?"Instead" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Instead" from YouTube Videos
Why is social media actually dumb.
meiqiii
“instead of going out with your friends or instead of actually talking to a human, you just go online, you watch social experiment videos or it's like a lineup of girls and a lineup of dudes and then everyone's judging everybody's outer appearance and everyone's judging the way they talk and blah, blah, blah and categorizing them and calling this person a pck me, calling that guy like Sigma mil, like actually what the [ __ ]”
(1 out of 267)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Instead"?How does "Instead" change by context?
2. used to suggest a contrasting or preferable choice
用於提出對比或更佳的選擇
Instead of complaining, why don't you try to fix the problem?
與其抱怨，你何不試著解決問題？
He decided to stay home and read instead of going to the party.
他決定待在家裡看書，而不是去參加派對。
3. on the contrary; as the opposite of what was expected or stated
相反地；與預期或所述相反
I thought he would be angry, but instead he laughed.
我以為他會生氣，結果他反而笑了。
The plan didn't save us money; instead, it cost us more.
這個計畫沒有幫我們省錢，反而讓我們花費更多。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Instead"?How to make natural sentences with "Instead"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| instead | 作為替代；反而 | I didn't go to the party. I stayed home instead. (我沒去派對，反而待在家裡。) |
| instead of + noun/pronoun/V-ing | 代替…；而不是… | Let's have tea instead of coffee. (我們喝茶，別喝咖啡吧。) |
| instead of + clause | 而不是…（接子句） | He smiled instead of getting angry. (他微笑了，而不是生氣。) |
| or instead | 或者作為替代方案 | We can meet today, or instead, we can meet tomorrow. (我們可以今天見面，或者改為明天見面。) |
用法說明
How is "Instead" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Instead"?
instead of doing vs instead to do
- instead of + V-ing / Noun 是唯一正確的介詞用法，用來表示「取代、代替」某個動作或事物。
- 沒有 instead to do 的結構。
to是不定詞標記，不與介詞instead of連用。 - 當想表達「寧願做A而不做B」時，可使用 would rather do A than do B 或 prefer to do A rather than do B，而非錯誤的 would instead to do。
- instead 單獨作副詞使用時，後面直接接句子，不接
of或to，意為「反而、卻」。
對比範例： EN: He drank tea instead of drinking coffee. 翻譯: 他喝了茶，而不是喝咖啡。
EN:He drank tea instead to drink coffee.
翻譯:(錯誤用法，應避免)
EN:She decided to walk instead of taking the bus.
翻譯:她決定走路，而不是搭公車。
EN:She would instead to walk than take the bus.
翻譯:(錯誤用法，應避免)
總結建議
正確使用 instead of + V-ing/Noun 來表達「代替」，並避免使用不存在的 instead to do 結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Instead" and similar words?How to choose "Instead" vs alternatives?
instead vs instead of
「instead」是副詞，表示替代或轉而做某事；「instead of」是介系詞片語，後面需接名詞、代名詞或動名詞，表示「代替...」。
instead vs rather
「instead」強調完全替代；「rather」則帶有偏好或選擇的意味，常與「would」連用。
instead vs in place of
「instead」用法較口語且靈活；「in place of」較正式，多用於書面或特定情境，表示「取代某個位置或角色」。
口語用法
How is "Instead" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Instead"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述自己或他人的決定或替代方案，語氣較為直接。 EN: I don't want coffee. I'll have tea instead. 翻譯: 我不想喝咖啡。我改喝茶好了。
EN:He said, "Let's not go to the mall. Let's watch a movie at home instead."
翻譯:他說：「我們別去商場了，改在家看電影吧。」
語氣強調
將 "instead" 放在句首或加重語氣說出，用來強調對比或糾正先前的想法，帶有輕微的轉折或反對意味。 EN: Instead, why don't you try asking for help? 翻譯: 不然，你試著求助看看？
EN:You thought it would be boring? Instead, it was the best party ever.
翻譯:你以為會很無聊？結果恰恰相反，那是有史以來最棒的派對。
停頓填充
在即時對話中思考時，用作填充詞，引導出一個不同的建議或結論，常與 "maybe"、"actually" 或 "just" 連用。 EN: We could... hmm... instead, just order takeout. 翻譯: 我們可以…嗯…不然，就叫外賣好了。
EN:I was going to finish the report, but actually, instead, let's discuss it first.
翻譯:我本來要完成報告的，但其實呢，不如我們先討論一下。
正式寫作注意：在學術或正式商業寫作中，應避免將 "instead" 用於句首作為語氣填充詞。建議使用更結構化的轉折語，如 "conversely"、"on the contrary" 或 "as an alternative"，並將其置於句中適當位置，以使論述更連貫嚴謹。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Instead"?What fixed phrases with "Instead" should I remember?
instead of
instead of [noun/gerund phrase]
代替；而不是
or instead
[clause], or instead, [alternative clause]
或者反過來；或者改為
if instead
if instead [clause]
如果改為；倘若相反地
decided/chose instead
[subject] decided/chose instead to [verb]
反而決定／選擇（做某事）
but instead
[negative clause], but instead [positive alternative clause]
但反而；卻相反地
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Instead"?Which "Instead" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I will go to the park instead of.
✓I will go to the park instead.
當 'instead' 單獨使用時，表示替代前述的選項，後面不需要加 'of'。'Instead of' 是一個介系詞片語，後面必須接名詞、動名詞或代名詞。
×Instead I will have tea, I will have coffee.
✓I will have coffee instead of tea.
'Instead' 不能像 'instead of' 那樣用來連接兩個對比的選項。'Instead' 通常放在句首或句尾，用來表示替代整個前述情況。若要直接對比兩個事物，應使用 'instead of + 名詞' 或 'rather than'。
×I wanted to go out, but I stayed home instead.
✓I wanted to go out, but I stayed home instead. (This is actually correct. The mistake is thinking it's wrong.)
許多學習者誤以為 'but' 和 'instead' 不能一起使用，但這是正確的用法。'But' 表示轉折，'instead' 具體說明替代的行動，兩者可以並用以加強對比。
×Instead you are tired, you should rest.
✓Since you are tired, you should rest.
'Instead' 不是連接詞，不能用來引導原因或條件子句。它主要用於表示替代。若要表達原因，應使用 'since', 'because', 或 'as'。
×He chose to read instead of to watch TV.
✓He chose to read instead of watching TV.
在 'instead of' 後面，通常接動名詞 (-ing形式) 或名詞，而不是不定詞 (to + 動詞)。這是介系詞用法的規則。
×I would rather stay home instead of going out.
✓I would rather stay home than go out.
'Would rather' 已經包含了「寧願、替代」的意思，其固定搭配是 'would rather A than B'。加上 'instead of' 會造成語意重複且結構不自然。應使用正確的 'rather...than...' 結構。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Instead"?What are tense/participle forms of "Instead"?