+ noun / gerund-like noun

Statt eines Autos kauft er ein Fahrrad.

+ zu-infinitive

Anstatt zu meckern, hilf mit.

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anstatt feels slightly more formal; statt is shorter and very common.

Case

Traditional grammar: genitive after statt/anstatt; colloquially you may hear dative.

Practice

Write three formal sentences with statt + genitive noun phrase.

Practical Examples

1. Er trinkt Kaffee statt Tee.

• He drinks coffee instead of tea.
• Usage Note: Here, "statt" is followed by a noun in the genitive case ("Tee" is masculine, but in this context, the genitive form is identical to the nominative for singular masculine/neuter nouns without an article). It compares two nouns.

1. Sie liest ein Buch anstatt fernzusehen.

• She reads a book instead of watching TV.
• Usage Note: "Anstatt" is followed by "zu + Infinitiv" when comparing two actions performed by the same subject. "Fernzusehen" is a separable verb, so "zu" goes between the prefix and the verb stem.

1. Warum nimmst du den Bus anstatt des Fahrrads?

• Why are you taking the bus instead of the bike?
• Usage Note: This is a question using "anstatt" followed by a genitive noun phrase ("des Fahrrads"). It compares two modes of transport.

1. Wir haben Pizza bestellt statt selbst zu kochen.

• We ordered pizza instead of cooking ourselves.
• Usage Note: "Statt" is used with "zu + Infinitiv" to show an alternative action. This is a very common construction.

1. Ich habe heute frei anstatt zu arbeiten.

• I have today off instead of working.
• Usage Note: This sentence uses "anstatt" with "zu + Infinitiv" to express a contrasting state or activity.

1. Er hat mir geholfen anstatt mich allein zu lassen.

• He helped me instead of leaving me alone.
• Usage Note: Here, "anstatt" introduces an action that didn't happen, using "zu + Infinitiv" with a negation ("nicht" or "allein lassen" implying not alone).

1. Sollten wir nicht statt des Autos den Zug nehmen?

• Shouldn't we take the train instead of the car?
• Usage Note: A question using "statt" followed by a genitive noun phrase ("des Autos"). Note the genitive ending "-s" for masculine/neuter nouns.

1. Sie hat mir statt der Wahrheit eine Lüge erzählt.

• She told me a lie instead of the truth.
• Usage Note: "Statt" is followed by a feminine noun in the genitive case ("der Wahrheit"). This compares two different pieces of information.

1. Du solltest anstatt zu meckern, eine Lösung finden.

• You should find a solution instead of complaining.
• Usage Note: This is an imperative-like statement using "anstatt" with "zu + Infinitiv" to suggest a more constructive action.

1. Viele Leute nutzen öffentliche Verkehrsmittel statt des eigenen Autos.

• Many people use public transport instead of their own car.
• Usage Note: "Statt" is followed by a genitive noun phrase ("des eigenen Autos"). This highlights a common choice or preference.

1. Ich habe anstatt des Apfels eine Banane gegessen.

• I ate a banana instead of the apple.
• Usage Note: "Anstatt" followed by a genitive noun phrase ("des Apfels"). This shows a direct substitution of one item for another.

1. Er hat den Zug genommen, anstatt mit dem Bus zu fahren.

• He took the train instead of going by bus.
• Usage Note: This example shows "anstatt" with "zu + Infinitiv" where the "zu" phrase includes a prepositional object ("mit dem Bus").

1. Statt des erwarteten Regens, schien die Sonne den ganzen Tag.

• Instead of the expected rain, the sun shone all day.
• Usage Note: The "statt" phrase can also begin the sentence, emphasizing the contrast. "Des erwarteten Regens" is a genitive noun phrase.

1. Sie hat sich entschieden, zu Hause zu bleiben, statt in den Urlaub zu fahren.

• She decided to stay at home instead of going on vacation.
• Usage Note: This shows "statt" with "zu + Infinitiv" comparing two potential actions, where one was chosen over the other.

1. Wir haben uns für den günstigeren Laptop entschieden anstatt des teureren Modells.

• We decided on the cheaper laptop instead of the more expensive model.
• Usage Note: "Anstatt" is followed by a genitive noun phrase ("des teureren Modells") to compare two options for an item.