Au lieu de

Expression: Au lieu de

Pronunciation: [oh lyeu deu]

Meaning: instead of

Literal translation: in the place of

Register: normal

Notes: The French expression au lieu de can be translated by "instead of" or "rather than," not to mention the French-English blend "in lieu of." However, note the difference in pronunciation: in French, lieu is pronounced [lyeu] (click the sound file above), whereas in American English it's pronounced [loo].

Au lieu de can be used in front of an infinitive, a noun, or a demonstrative pronoun. When it precedes a subordinate clause, it becomes au lieu que (and requires the subjunctive).

Examples:

   Je vais écrire une lettre au lieu de leur téléphoner.
   I'm going to write a letter rather than calling them.

   Viens m'aider au lieu de rester là à ne rien faire !
   Come help me instead of just sitting there!

   Au lieu que tout le monde prenne sa voiture, allons-y ensemble.
   Instead of everyone taking his or her own car, let's all go together.

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More French Expressions

• Most common French phrases
• Expressions with à
• Expressions with de