In this live lesson, Vanessa teaches “instead of” through questions about activities people prefer not to do and what they would rather do. She invites viewers to contribute ideas, then models sentences that contrast one choice with another. This interactive format helps learners practise the expression with personally relevant examples rather than memorize a single fixed sentence.
“Instead of” introduces the option that is not chosen, or the action that is replaced by another. It is commonly followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ing: “Instead of driving, we took the train,” or “I ordered tea instead of coffee.” When it appears at the beginning, it can set up a contrast before the main clause. The speaker may also place it later: “We took the train instead of driving.” Keep the two alternatives grammatically parallel when possible.
“Not a big fan of” means you do not particularly like something. It is a softened, conversational way to express a preference. “Would rather” introduces a preferred action: “I’d rather read at home.” “Feel free to” gives permission or an invitation. “Join me live” invites someone to participate in real time, while “watch the replay” refers to the recorded version. “Give you some feedback” means offer comments or suggestions that may help someone improve.
These expressions support polite conversations about preferences. Instead of saying “I hate exercise,” a speaker might say, “I’m not a big fan of running; I’d rather go for a walk.” This communicates a preference without making it sound overly strong. “Instead of” itself is neutral and can be used in casual or formal contexts, though the sentence around it determines the tone. In writing, pay attention to whether the following verb should be a gerund or whether a noun phrase is more natural.
To practise, name one activity you do not prefer, then state the alternative. For example, “Instead of checking my phone before bed, I read a few pages.” You can also ask a partner, “What would you rather do?” Answer with a complete sentence and keep the alternatives balanced. The aim is to make the contrast clear and natural.