in lieu of

IPA/ɪn lˈuː ɒv/
IPA/ɪn lˈuː ʌv/

in lieu of — idiom

1. used to say that one thing is chosen or accepted as a substitute for another, es

1.慣用語B2
釋義

used to say that one thing is chosen or accepted as a substitute for another, especially in formal, legal, or professional contexts

例句

The company offered stock options in lieu of a year-end cash bonus.

collocation: in lieu of + noun phrase (payment type)

Ayesha agreed to lead a community workshop in lieu of paying the parking fine.

pattern: in lieu of + gerund

同義詞
  • instead of

    less formal; the everyday equivalent in all registers

  • in place of

    equal formality but slightly more literal (physical position rather than substitution in general)

  • as a substitute for

    more explicit about the replacing function; common in academic and technical writing

  • rather than

    can also introduce a preference, whereas in lieu of is purely substitutional

文法句型

in lieu of + noun phrase

in lieu of + gerund

用法筆記

Always followed by a noun phrase or gerund (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun). Cannot stand alone at the end of a sentence like the word instead can — saying "She took Monday off in lieu" without an object is incorrect. Reserve for formal or official writing; use instead of in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The team decided to work from home in lieu of.
✅The team decided to work from home instead.
💡in lieu of always needs an object after it; it cannot end a sentence.
❌Let's order takeout in lieu of cook tonight.
✅Let's order takeout in lieu of cooking tonight.
💡in lieu of must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not a bare infinitive.
❌In lieu of the bus was late, she took a taxi.
✅Because the bus was late, she took a taxi.
💡in lieu of is not a conjunction and cannot introduce a clause with a subject and verb.