“In place of in English” is a common prepositional phrase meaning “instead of” or “as a substitute for.” This guide explains its exact meaning, grammar patterns, and real-life examples so you can use it correctly in daily conversation, writing, and academic contexts.

I. What Does In Place Of in English Mean?
1. 1. How to Use In Place Of in English Correctly
2. 2. Synonyms and Paraphrases for In Place Of in English
II. Examples of In Place Of in English in Real-life Contexts

I. What Does In Place Of in English Mean?

The phrase in place of is a prepositional phrase that means “instead of” or “as a substitute for”. It is used to indicate that one person or thing is being replaced by another in a particular context.

While it is grammatically correct and widely understood, in place of tends to be slightly more formal than instead of, and is often used in written or polite spoken English.

Part of Speech: Prepositional phrase
Structure: in place of + noun / noun phrase / gerund

This phrase functions like other prepositions or fixed expressions that indicate substitution. It connects the action or situation to the entity being replaced.

In place of signifies that something is not being used or done, and another item takes its place.

They hired a temporary manager in place of the previous one.
→ A different person replaces the original manager.
He chose to walk in place of taking the bus.
→ Walking is the alternative action to taking the bus.

Literal vs Practical Use

Type of Meaning	Explanation	Example
Literal / Direct	Physical replacement or substitution	We used brown rice in place of white rice.
Functional / Common	Choosing one option or action instead of another (often abstract)	She voted online in place of attending in person.

While in place of can technically be used in both formal and informal settings, it is more common in written English or wherever slight formality is preferred—such as academic writing, business emails, or polite explanations.

For scope-narrowing phrases, see in terms of in English.

1. How to Use In Place Of in English Correctly

To use in place of correctly, learners should understand its sentence structure, grammatical placement, and how it adapts to different verb tenses. Because it functions as a prepositional phrase, it must be followed by a noun, noun phrase, or gerund (-ing form) — never by a full clause.

Sentence Structure and Position

Structure Pattern	Example Sentence	Notes
Subject + verb + in place of + noun	She ordered tea in place of coffee.	Most typical structure
Use at beginning (optional structure)	In place of printed forms, they now use digital ones.	Often used in formal or written English
Use with gerunds	He jogged in place of taking the car.	Verb in -ing form allowed, but must act as noun
Passive voice (less common)	A new method was implemented in place of the old one.	Common in reports, policy, or technical writing

Incorrect usage: She chose in place of she would travel. → This is invalid because it uses a clause after the phrase.
Correct usage: She chose traveling in place of staying home.

Flexibility Across Tenses

Although in place of itself doesn’t change, it can appear in sentences across all grammatical tenses. Below is a sample table showing usage in different contexts:

Tense	Example Sentence	Usage Context
Present Simple	He usually walks in place of driving when the weather is good.	Describing habits or routines
Past Simple	I used almond milk in place of dairy milk for the recipe.	Discussing a completed substitution in the past
Present Perfect	They have often chosen Zoom in place of face-to-face meetings.	Past experience with relevance to the present
Future (will)	We will be using tablets in place of paper forms next year.	Planning future substitution
Modal + base verb	You should speak in place of your supervisor today.	Giving recommendation or instruction

Notes for Learners

What follows “in place of” must always be a noun, a pronoun, or a gerund.
Avoid using a clause (subject + verb) after it.
It’s more formal and less flexible than “instead of” in casual speech, but perfect for academic and official contexts.
Pay attention to repetition – avoid using both "in place of" and a similar phrase (like “instead of”) in the same sentence unless necessary for emphasis.

2. Synonyms and Paraphrases for In Place Of in English

Learners often encounter confusion when using in place of because of its similarities with other expressions like instead of, as a substitute for, or in lieu of. While all of these phrases convey the idea of replacement or substitution, they differ in terms of formality, grammatical structure, and contextual tone.

To use them correctly and naturally, especially in writing and speaking exams or professional settings, it is essential to understand both the differences and synonyms of in place of.

Comparison and Synonym Table

Expression	Function / Meaning	Example Sentence	Formality	Usage Notes
in place of	Replacing one thing with another	She used vinegar in place of lemon juice.	Medium / formal	Prepositional phrase. Followed by noun or gerund only.
instead of	Substitution (more general than "in place of")	He called instead of texting.	Neutral / informal	Very flexible; can precede noun or verb-ing. Common in casual speech.
as a substitute for	Used when discussing functional replacement	Yogurt is used as a substitute for cream in this recipe.	Formal	Common in academic, health, or technical contexts.
in lieu of	Formal alternative meaning “in place of”	Tuition was waived in lieu of research assistance.	High / written	Suitable for business, legal, invitations. Less common in conversation.
to replace (verb)	Acts to take the place of	The agency replaced the old logo with a modern design.	Neutral / formal	Verb, not phrase. Often used in active statements (with object).
rather than	Expresses preference more than substitution	I stayed in rather than going out.	Neutral	Focuses on choice or contrast, not direct replacement.
in the stead of	Archaic form of substitution	He ruled in the stead of the king.	Very formal / literary	Historical or legal writing only. Rare in modern English.

To use them correctly and naturally… expand systematically with IELTS Vocabulary Booster.

Practical Guidance for Learners

Use in place of when writing formally or semi-formally, especially where you're emphasizing structured replacement (e.g. reports, proposals, academic writing).
Use instead of for both nouns and gerunds in spoken English, emails, and narrative writing.
Use as a substitute for / in lieu of in formal documents, especially academic, medical, legal, or business contexts.

By mastering these distinctions and exploring their use in various sentence structures, you’ll be able to write with more flexibility, precision, and clarity — whether you’re taking an exam, crafting an essay, or working in a global environment.

For increase/change verbs often paired with ‘in place of’ contexts, compare raise vs rise.

II. Examples of In Place Of in English in Real-life Contexts

To use in place of naturally and effectively, you need to see how it appears in various real-life contexts. From casual conversation to academic essays and standardized test settings, this phrase can help express substitution with clarity — as long as it’s used appropriately.

Everyday Conversation

Example Sentence	Context or Purpose
I had salad in place of fries with my lunch.	Expressing a healthy or alternative choice in daily routine.
She stayed home in place of going to the party.	Replacing one action (going out) with another (staying in).
Can you cover my shift in place of John tomorrow?	Asking someone to substitute for another person.

Tone: Neutral
Formality: Conversational, polite

Academic and Professional Writing

Example Sentence	Context or Purpose
The researchers used online survey tools in place of paper forms.	Formal replacement in method or process documentation.
Renewable energy was promoted in place of fossil fuels.	Argument-based writing in academic or environmental essays.
In place of a conclusion, the author ends with a rhetorical question.	Analysis in writing or critique contexts.

Tone: Formal / Academic
Where: Essays, reports, proposals, article reviews

IELTS, TOEIC, and English Exam Usage

Example Sentence	Test Context
Many people now shop online in place of going to physical stores.	IELTS Writing Task 2 – discussing trends
Tablets were introduced in place of printed manuals.	TOEIC Reading – company internal communication
I would recommend using visuals in place of long written introductions.	IELTS Speaking Part 3 – giving suggestions

Tips:

Appropriate for Task 2 when explaining effects, trends, preferences.
Always follow in place of with a noun, noun phrase, or gerund.

Using clear and varied examples like these will help you internalize the structure and apply in place of confidently in any setting — academic, conversational, or exam-based.

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