"instead of studying I read" vs "instead of studying I've read"

Question

"instead of studying I read" vs "instead of studying I've read"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Instead of studying I've read' implies that reading was a recent action that replaced studying, while 'Instead of studying I read' simply states that reading was the alternative activity to studying. The choice between the two depends on the emphasis the speaker wants to convey.

Last Updated: March 27, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate that reading was the alternative activity to studying, without emphasizing the recentness of the action.

Examples:

Instead of studying, I read a novel.
Instead of studying, I read a magazine.

Alternatives:

Instead of studying, I've read the book.
Instead of studying, I decided to read.
Instead of studying, I read a research paper.
Instead of studying, I read a short story.
Instead of studying, I read a textbook.

This phrase is used to indicate that reading was the alternative activity to studying, with the emphasis on the recentness of the action.

Examples:

Instead of studying, I've read the entire book in one sitting.
Instead of studying, I've read all the articles for my research project.

Alternatives:

Instead of studying, I read the book.
Instead of studying, I decided to read.
Instead of studying, I read a novel.
Instead of studying, I read a magazine.
Instead of studying, I read a research paper.

Answer 1

instead of studying I read

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It simply states that reading was the alternative activity to studying.

Answer 2

instead of studying I've read

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It implies that reading was a recent action that replaced studying.

"instead of studying I read" vs "instead of studying I've read"

instead of studying I read

instead of studying I've read

Related Comparisons