In 15 Seconds
- Means 'instead of' in English.
- Follow with a noun or an infinitive verb.
- Perfect for making choices or giving advice.
Meaning
Use this phrase when you want to swap one option for another. It is like pointing at a salad and saying 'I will have this instead of the pizza.'
Key Examples
3 of 6Ordering at a restaurant
Je vais prendre une salade au lieu de frites.
I will take a salad instead of fries.
Giving advice to a friend
Tu devrais te reposer au lieu de travailler tout le temps.
You should rest instead of working all the time.
In a professional meeting
Nous devrions appeler le client au lieu d'envoyer un mail.
We should call the client instead of sending an email.
Cultural Background
The word 'lieu' (place) is central to the French identity, often tied to 'terroir' or specific locations. Using 'au lieu de' suggests a physical or metaphorical displacement of one thing for another. It became a staple of the language as French evolved to prioritize clear, logical transitions in conversation.
The Verb Rule
Always keep the verb after 'de' in its original infinitive form. Never conjugate it!
Don't end with it
Never end a sentence with 'au lieu de'. If you need to say 'instead' at the end, use 'à la place'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'instead of' in English.
- Follow with a noun or an infinitive verb.
- Perfect for making choices or giving advice.
What It Means
Think of au lieu de as your go-to tool for making choices. It helps you pivot from one idea to another. It translates directly to 'instead of' in English. You are basically saying, 'Forget Option A, let's go with Option B.' It is simple, effective, and very common.
How To Use It
This phrase is a bit of a grammatical chameleon. You can follow it with a noun or a verb. If you use a verb, keep it in the infinitive. For example, au lieu de dormir means 'instead of sleeping.' If the next word starts with a vowel, de becomes d'. It is that easy. No complex conjugations required here!
When To Use It
Use it whenever there is a substitution happening. Are you at a café? Use it to change your order. Are you giving advice to a friend? Use it to suggest a better habit. It works perfectly in professional emails too. It is the ultimate 'pivot' phrase for daily life.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this phrase at the very end of a sentence. In English, we can say 'I did that instead.' In French, you cannot just say au lieu de. You would use à la place for that. Also, avoid it if you are choosing between two things you actually like equally. It usually implies a preference or a correction.
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on 'le choix' (choice). Whether it is food, politics, or philosophy, there is always a debate. Au lieu de is the linguistic engine of these debates. It shows you have considered the alternatives. It is not just a phrase; it is a way of expressing your will.
Common Variations
You might occasionally hear au lieu que. This is much more formal and requires the subjunctive. Honestly? You probably won't need it for a long time. Stick with au lieu de. It is the reliable, everyday version that everyone uses from Paris to Montreal.
Usage Notes
This phrase is incredibly versatile and safe to use in any social or professional setting. Just remember the 'de' contraction rules!
The Verb Rule
Always keep the verb after 'de' in its original infinitive form. Never conjugate it!
Don't end with it
Never end a sentence with 'au lieu de'. If you need to say 'instead' at the end, use 'à la place'.
The 'Du' Trap
Remember that 'de' + 'le' becomes 'du'. So it's 'au lieu du café', not 'au lieu de le café'.
Examples
6Je vais prendre une salade au lieu de frites.
I will take a salad instead of fries.
A very common way to modify a meal order.
Tu devrais te reposer au lieu de travailler tout le temps.
You should rest instead of working all the time.
Shows how to use the phrase with an infinitive verb.
Nous devrions appeler le client au lieu d'envoyer un mail.
We should call the client instead of sending an email.
Professional and proactive suggestion.
On va au ciné au lieu du parc ?
Are we going to the cinema instead of the park?
Note how 'de + le' becomes 'du'.
Il mange du chocolat au lieu de sa pomme.
He is eating chocolate instead of his apple.
Relatable moment regarding healthy choices.
Il m'a crié dessus au lieu de m'écouter.
He yelled at me instead of listening to me.
Used to highlight a disappointing behavior.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form to say 'instead of the' (masculine).
Je préfère le thé ___ café.
When 'de' is followed by the masculine 'le', it contracts to 'du'.
Complete the sentence with the correct verb form.
Sortons ___ rester à la maison.
We use 'au lieu de' followed by the infinitive 'rester'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'au lieu de'
Used with friends to change plans.
Pizza au lieu de pâtes ?
Standard everyday usage.
Je marche au lieu de conduire.
Professional suggestions.
Veuillez confirmer au lieu d'attendre.
Where to use 'au lieu de'
Restaurant
Salade au lieu de frites.
Office
Appeler au lieu d'écrire.
Home
Lire au lieu de regarder la télé.
Gym
Courir au lieu de marcher.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesJe préfère le thé ___ café.
When 'de' is followed by the masculine 'le', it contracts to 'du'.
Sortons ___ rester à la maison.
We use 'au lieu de' followed by the infinitive 'rester'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe phrase itself doesn't change, but the 'de' might combine with the following article. For example: au lieu du (masculine) or au lieu de la (feminine).
Yes! You can say Moi au lieu de lui (Me instead of him). It works with pronouns too.
They are very similar. Au lieu de is more about substitution, while plutôt que is more about preference (rather than).
Absolutely. It is a neutral phrase that fits perfectly in formal writing, like au lieu de votre réponse habituelle.
No, the verb following au lieu de must be in the infinitive, even if you are talking about the past.
Use à la place. For example: 'Prends ça à la place' (Take this instead).
No, au lieu de does not. Only the rare variation au lieu que requires the subjunctive.
Yes! Au lieu de partir, il est resté (Instead of leaving, he stayed) is perfectly correct.
Not really a slang version, but in fast speech, 'de' might sound like a short 'd'. There is no specific slang word for this.
It becomes au lieu d'un or au lieu d'une. The 'e' drops before the vowel.
Related Phrases
à la place de
plutôt que
en échange de
faute de
