Meaning & use
in my stead
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseformalliterary
In my place, doing what I would have done if I had been there or able.
Grammar: Comes after the verb or at the end of the clause; the possessive can change: in his stead, in your stead.
Patterns
- do something in someone's stead
- go in someone's stead
I cannot attend the dinner, so my brother will go in my stead.
She sent a letter of thanks in my stead.
If I fall ill, my deputy will speak in my stead.
Common combinations
- act in my stead
- I ask you to act in my stead while I travel.
- speak in my stead
- The senator asked an aide to speak in her stead.
- go in my stead
- My cousin will go in my stead to the ceremony.
- stand in my stead
- The understudy had to stand in the star's stead.
- in his stead
- The king died, and his daughter ruled in his stead.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in my place
- In my place is the plain, everyday version of the phrase and works in any register.
- on my behalf
- On my behalf means acting for me with my authority, whereas in my stead means taking my position, often when I cannot be there.
- instead of me
- Instead of me is neutral and casual, while in my stead sounds formal or old-fashioned.
Word family
Commonly confused: in my stead or in my steed? in my stead or instead?
in my stead vs in my steed
A steed is a horse, so in my steed is a mishearing; the correct word is stead, meaning place.
in my stead vs instead
Instead is the everyday adverb that grew out of in stead, but in my stead is only used with a possessive.
Practice
The mayor could not come, so her deputy accepted the award ___.
Choose one answer.
In her stead means in her place. In her steed would mean in her horse, and the other prepositions do not make the fixed phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “in my stead”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.