2

I have seen the below mentioned sentence, where x has to be replaced by y.

use x to y instead

Is this usage of the word instead correct?

Edit: There was one post where one wrong word was written (lets assume it word1), then writer left a comment "use word1 to word2 instead", word2 is correct word. But this sentence sounds bit wrong to me.

Improve this question
4
  • 3
    I think this statement needs a little more context.
    – Blubberguy22
    May 31, 2016 at 14:05
  • You say that you've seen this construction... can you please give us an actual example rather than this example fragment? In general, I would say this is a poor construction choice but knowing the entire sentence could change that.
    – Catija
    May 31, 2016 at 14:07
  • 4
    Probably the form you want is Use Y instead of X.
    – FumbleFingers
    May 31, 2016 at 14:09
  • 1
    ...of course, it could be a "use/mention" context, where the writer might have been commenting on someone else having written Heavens to Betsy! with something like Older people often use Heavens to Murgatroyd! instead*.
    – FumbleFingers
    May 31, 2016 at 15:34

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5

Let's assume the original author wrote:

There were ten gooses in the yard.

An editor might say any of these:

  • "Change gooses to geese.
  • "Use geese instead of gooses."
  • "Change gooses and use geese instead."

The version you reportedly saw:

  • "Use gooses to geese instead."

sounds like an inadvertent blend of these, but I don't think it works.

Improve this answer
1
  • ... and probably "Instead of gooses, use geese."
    – user90726
    Jul 13, 2020 at 8:53

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .