English pronunciation · Words Starting with I
Instead Pronunciation
Instead is pronounced in-STED, IPA /ˌɪnˈstɛd/.
in-STED
US /ˌɪnˈstɛd/ · UK /ɪnˈstɛd/
Syllables: in · STED (2 syllables, stress on syllable 2)
adverb: In place of something else that was expected or suggested.
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Instead in a Sentence
- The shop was shut, so we ate at home instead.
- Instead of complaining, she rewrote the whole chapter.
- Take the bus instead and save the fare.
Common Mispronunciations of Instead
Not IN-sted
All the weight goes onto stead. A strong first syllable makes it sound like a compound noun rather than an adverb.
Not in-STEED
The vowel in the second syllable is the short e of bed. It has nothing to do with the word steed.
Tip: Two syllables, back-weighted: in-STED. The stead part rhymes with head.
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