in their stead

USAGE SUMMARY

"in their stead" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means "instead of them" or "in their place". Example: "John had to leave for the conference, so Mary will be speaking in his stead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr Modi resorted to ordinances in their stead.

The Economist

Get the writing staff to play in their stead!

The Guardian - Sport

In their stead you could order riesling, riesling or, if those didn't appeal, riesling.

The New York Times - Food

His three band mates weren't there, but in their stead he got soused singalongs and hecklers.

The New York Times - Arts

No actual employees are in evidence; in their stead is an abundance of encouraging signage.

The New Yorker

Government-run schools opened in their stead, but their purpose was more political than educational.

The Economist

Didn't medieval princes have whipping boys to be punished in their stead?

The Guardian - Opinion

In their stead, police walk the stage wearing their ominous black leather jackets.

The Guardian

A team from Long Island would be going on to the nationals in their stead.

The New York Times

And in their stead foundations have more recently turned to other types of evaluation.

The New York Times - Magazine

In their stead are shimmering fields of colour and more atmospheric depths.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their stead" to clearly indicate that one person or thing is replacing another. It adds a touch of formality and is suitable for both writing and formal speech.

Common error

Avoid using "in their stead" when you mean "on their behalf". "In their stead" indicates replacement, while "on their behalf" indicates acting as a representative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their stead" functions as a prepositional phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating replacement or substitution. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in their stead" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies replacement or substitution. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is common across various reliable sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While slightly formal, it is suitable for a range of contexts where a clear indication of replacement is needed. Consider using more common alternatives like "instead of them" or "in their place" in informal settings, and be mindful not to confuse it with similar phrases like "on their behalf".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instead of them

Direct replacement with a clearer, more common phrasing.

in their place

Emphasizes the physical or metaphorical location being taken.

as a substitute for them

Formal phrasing highlighting the act of substitution.

to replace them

Focuses on the action of taking over a role or position.

as their replacement

Highlights the fact of replacing them in their function or role.

in lieu of them

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

on their behalf

Indicates acting for or representing someone, a slightly different nuance.

acting as their proxy

Highlights the role of representing or substituting.

filling their shoes

Idiomatic expression indicating stepping into someone's role.

taking their position

Focuses on assuming a specific role or status.

FAQs

How can I use "in their stead" in a sentence?

Use "in their stead" to show someone or something is replacing someone or something else. For example, "Since John couldn't attend, Mary will speak "in his stead"".

What's a more common alternative to "in their stead"?

A more common alternative to "in their stead" is "instead of them" or "in their place". While "in their stead" is perfectly correct, it can sound slightly formal.

Is "in their stead" formal or informal?

"In their stead" is generally considered a more formal expression. For informal contexts, consider using "instead of them".

What is the difference between "in their stead" and "on their behalf"?

"In their stead" means replacing someone or something, while "on their behalf" means acting as a representative for someone. They are not interchangeable.