instead 是英语中一个常用副词，常用于表示“代替”或“而不是”。掌握其常见搭配对准确表达非常重要。
1. instead of
这是最常用的搭配，后接名词、代词或动名词（-ing 形式），表示“代替……”或“而不是……”。
- I stayed home instead of going out.
- She drank tea instead of coffee.
- We walked instead of taking the bus.
2. rather than
虽然不是直接包含 “instead”，但语义相近，常用于比较结构中，强调选择前者而非后者。
- He decided to cycle rather than drive.
- I prefer reading books rather than watching TV.
3. simply / just / only + instead
这些副词可加强语气，强调替代行为的简洁性或出乎意料。
- He didn’t apologize; he just left instead.
- They didn’t fix the problem — they replaced the whole system instead.
4. at the last minute / later / then + instead
用于描述计划变更的情况。
- We were going to eat out, but we ordered pizza instead.
- She was supposed to present, but her colleague spoke instead.
注意事项
- instead 单独使用时通常位于句尾或句首（后加逗号）。
- instead of 后不能接完整句子（即不能接主谓结构），应使用动名词或名词。
- 避免混淆：instead ≠ in place of（虽意思接近，但后者更正式且多用于书面语）。