instead 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。
→ instead of somebody/something at instead(1)