preferably or instead?

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ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > preferably or instead?

preferably or instead?

preferably or instead?

Hi!

I�ve got a question and I am sure you can help me.

I have to choose between "preferably" and "instead" in the following sentence:

They might ____________ choose to pay a visit to the supermarket or the train station.

I know that the right answer is "instead", but why "preferably" is a wrong option?

Thanks in advance!

6 Nov 2012

Dr. Ahmad El-Maghraby

(1) Instead (adv) : as a substitute or replacement :

�We ordered tea but were served coffee instead.�

(2) preferably (adv) : ideally; by preference; if one had a choice; more readily or willingly; ideally; if possible; by choice; much sooner; in or for preference;

"clean it well, preferably with warm water"; �Take exercise, preferably in the fresh air�.

* Thus, �instead� is used when there is a substitute; �They might instead choose to pay a visit to the supermarket or the train station.� (No preference is available.)

* �Preferably� is used to express preference without mentioning a substitute; �They might pay a visit to the supermarket preferably in the morning�. (Preference is confined with the morning.)

6 Nov 2012

Thank you, Dr. Ahmad!

It is clear now.

6 Nov 2012

I think preferably is more suitable as there are choices.You can either pay a visit to the supermarket or a visit to the train station.It �s your preference.Instead doesn �t make a sense to me.

6 Nov 2012

sweet hannah

" Instead "could be a possibility if there is a previous sentence offering another alternative . For example,
Since they have plenty of time, they can go to a cafe. They might ____instead________ choose to pay a visit to the supermarket or the train station.

But in your sentence , the answer will definitely be � preferably �.

6 Nov 2012