i stedet for at

Instead of -ing (I Stedet for at)

Level 3

Use i stedet for at when you want to say 'instead of [doing something]'. It connects a rejected action to a chosen one.

How It Works

The phrase i stedet for at is a complex prepositional construction used to express alternatives.

1. With Verbs (at + infinitive):
When the alternative is an action performed by the same subject, use at + infinitive.
Example: Jeg læser i stedet for at sove (I am reading instead of sleeping).

2. With Nouns or Pronouns:
If you are choosing between things or people rather than actions, simply use i stedet for followed by a noun or object pronoun.
Example: Jeg vil have vand i stedet for vin (I want water instead of wine).

3. Different Subjects:
If the subjects are different, the structure changes into a subordinate clause starting with at (meaning 'that').
Example: I stedet for at han gør det, gør jeg det (Instead of him doing it, I am doing it).

4. Placement of Negation (ikke):
When you want to say 'instead of NOT doing something', the placement of ikke depends on the structure:
• Infinitive: ikke usually precedes at (e.g., i stedet for ikke at komme).
• Subordinate Clause: ikke follows the subordinate clause word order (S-A-V), coming before the verb.

5. Pronunciation Note:
In spoken Danish, at is often pronounced as a short [ʌ], which sounds identical to og (and). Be careful not to write i stedet for og, as this is a common spelling error.

Examples (6)

  1. Vi tog cyklen i stedet for at køre i bil.

    We took the bike instead of driving (in a car).

    Word by Word: We took the-bike in stead for to drive in car.

    Notice that 'driving' becomes the infinitive 'at køre' in Danish.

  2. Jeg drikker te i stedet for kaffe.

    I drink tea instead of coffee.

    Word by Word: I drink tea in stead for coffee.

    When followed by a noun, you simply use 'i stedet for' without 'at'.

  3. I stedet for at lave mad gik vi på restaurant.

    Instead of cooking, we went to a restaurant.

    Word by Word: In stead for to make food went we on restaurant.

    The phrase can also start the sentence. Note the V2 word order (gik vi) in the main clause.

  4. Han valgte at blive hjemme i stedet for ikke at komme overhovedet.

    He chose to stay home instead of not coming at all.

    Word by Word: He chose to stay home in stead for not to come at-all.

    When using a negative infinitive, ikke is placed before 'at'.

  5. I stedet for at han ikke svarer, burde han ringe tilbage.

    Instead of him not answering, he should call back.

    Word by Word: In stead for that he not answers, should he call back.

    In a subordinate clause, 'ikke' must come before the verb.

  6. Kan jeg få dig i stedet for ham?

    Can I have you instead of him?

    Word by Word: Can I get you in stead for him?

    Here 'i stedet for' is followed by an object pronoun.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the present participle (-ende) instead of the infinitive.

    Jeg læser i stedet for sovende.
    Jeg læser i stedet for at sove.

    English uses the '-ing' form (sleeping), but Danish requires the infinitive (at sove). The Danish -ende form is rarely used this way.

  • Writing 'og' instead of 'at' because they sound the same.

    Vi gik i stedet for og køre.
    Vi gik i stedet for at køre.

    Because 'at' and 'og' are both pronounced as [ʌ] in fast speech, learners often confuse them in writing.

  • Omitting 'at' when a verb follows.

    I stedet for køre bil, gik vi.
    I stedet for at køre bil, gik vi.

    If you are following the phrase with a verb, you must include the infinitive marker 'at'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

i stedet for atLevel 3Instead of -ing (I Stedet for at)

Learn This First

To understand 'i stedet for at', you need to be familiar with the basic prepositions 'i' and 'for', as well as how to form the infinitive using 'at'. This pattern functions similarly to other prepositional phrases followed by an infinitive marker.

Words in This Pattern

i stedet forat