Instead of ((an)statt)

To describe replacements and substitutions in German, use the preposition statt (or its slightly longer form, anstatt).

instead of
statt

"Statt" and the genitive case

The preposition statt requires the following noun to be in the genitive case. As a quick recap:

  • Masculine and Neuter: The article changes to des (definite) or eines (indefinite). The noun adds an -s or -es.
  • Feminine and Plural: The article changes to der (definite) or einer (indefinite feminine). The noun does not change.

Notice how the masculine noun der Schraubenzieher (the screwdriver) becomes eines Schraubenziehers after statt:

He is taking a coin instead of a screwdriver.
Er nimmt eine Münze statt eines Schraubenziehers.
I am taking a paperclip instead of a strong wire.
Ich nehme eine Büroklammer statt eines starken Drahts.

For feminine nouns like die Schraube (the screw) or die Zange (the pliers), the article simply changes to einer or der:

We are taking a paperclip instead of a screw.
Wir nehmen eine Büroklammer statt einer Schraube.
Instead of the pliers, he takes the tape.
Statt der Zange nimmt er das Klebeband.

Starting the sentence with "statt"

A phrase starting with statt can sit in the middle of a sentence, or move to the beginning for emphasis. When the statt phrase occupies the first position, the conjugated verb must come immediately after it in the second position.

Instead of an expensive tool, one sometimes has to improvise.
Statt eines teuren Werkzeugs muss man manchmal improvisieren.
Instead of a paperclip, you can improvise with a rubber band.
Statt einer Büroklammer kannst du mit einem Gummiband improvisieren.
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