Guide 190 / 200 4 alternatives 2-minute read

Better ways to say “in lieu of”

French for "in the place of" — three words for "instead of".

i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler

"Lieu" is French (and Old French before that) for "place." Common in legal and financial writing where "in lieu of rent" or "in lieu of notice" has specific meaning. Everywhere else, "instead of" is plainer.

ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo

Before

Donations in lieu of flowers.

After

Donations instead of flowers.

iii · The alternatives4 ways out

01

Instead of neutral

plain English

Donations instead of flowers.
02

In place of neutral

slightly more formal

Donations in place of flowers.
03

Rather than neutral

emphasise choice

Donations rather than flowers.
04

As a substitute for formal

explicit substitution

Donations as a substitute for flowers.

iv · Brew tipKeep this one

Outside a legal notice, "instead of" says it better.