In lieu of vs. instead of

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Which do you use more often – in lieu of or instead of/in place of’?[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEIC listening, photographs: A bonfire[YSaerTTEW443543]

2

I met it just a few times in books. To be honest, even don’t know how it is pronounced. :slight_smile:

3

Hi Torsten

The idiom “in lieu of” tends to be used more in written English and sounds more formal than “instead of” or “in place of”. I don’t use “in lieu of” too often.

If I’m not mistaken, the American pronunciation is not quite the same as the British pronunciation. I would pronounce “lieu” just like the word “loo” or the name “Lou”.

Amy

4

Hi, Lieu, loo too, UK OK.

A

5

Saying French words like ‘lieu’ or ‘adieu’ the English way, [lju:] and [9’dju:], (let alone the American way!) just doesn’t come natural to me – I practically never use them in English, anyway.