au lieu
instead
The French word 'au lieu' is used in sentences in a similar manner to the English word 'instead'. It is typically used to indicate a substitute or alternative event happening in place of another. For example, 'Je vais prendre du thé au lieu de café' translates to 'I will have tea instead of coffee'.
Example sentences using: au lieu
Au lieu de déjeuner, nous sommes allés à la piscine.
Instead of having lunch, we went to the pool.
This sentence uses 'au lieu' to show that the speakers chose to go the pool instead of having lunch.
Au lieu de faire ses devoirs, il est allé jouer au foot.
Instead of doing his homework, he went to play football.
This example again illustrates preference. It uses 'au lieu' to express that the person in question chose to play football instead of doing his homework.
Ils vont voyager en Espagne au lieu de la France cette année.
They are going to travel in Spain instead of France this year.
In this instance, 'au lieu' is used to indicate a decision made in favor of one option over another -- here, traveling to Spain instead of France.
J'ai décidé d'étudier l'anglais au lieu du français.
I decided to study English instead of French.
The phrase 'au lieu' demonstrates a switch between two options in this example, the subject decided to study English rather than French.
Pouvez-vous le faire aujourd'hui au lieu de demain?
Can you do it today instead of tomorrow?
The phrase 'au lieu' is used in this question form, to express a preference of one time (today) over another (tomorrow).
Nous devrions acheter du chocolat au lieu de la vanille.
We should buy chocolate instead of vanilla.
In this sentence, 'au lieu' is used to suggest a preference for one option (chocolate) over another (vanilla).
Elle a choisi de marcher au lieu de conduire.
She chose to walk instead of drive.
The French phrase 'au lieu' is used to express a preference or a choice between two alternatives - in this case, walking instead of driving.
Au lieu de la viande, il mange du tofu.
Instead of meat, he eats tofu.
In this context, 'au lieu' is used to contrast the eating habits of someone who chooses to eat tofu as a substitute for meat.
Au lieu de se plaindre, il faut essayer de résoudre le problème.
Instead of complaining, one must try to solve the problem.
This sentence uses 'au lieu' in an admonitory context, advising the listener to focus on finding a solution instead of complaining.
Au lieu de regarder la télévision, elle préfère lire des livres.
Instead of watching television, she prefers to read books.
This sentence uses 'au lieu' to illustrate the idea of choosing one activity over another. It expresses the preference of reading books over watching television.