What does "en vez de" mean?
The phrase "en vez de" translates to "instead of" or "in place of." It is used to indicate that something is being substituted or replaced by another, often emphasizing a choice or alternative. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
Examples
1.
Usaré leche en vez de agua.
I will use milk instead of water. (futuro)
I will use milk instead of water. (futuro)
2.
¿Quieres té en vez de café?
Do you want tea instead of coffee? (presente de indicativo — question)
Do you want tea instead of coffee? (presente de indicativo — question)
3.
De niño, siempre usaba jugo en vez de leche.
As a child, I always used juice instead of milk. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, I always used juice instead of milk. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
Tomé el autobús en vez del tren.
I took the bus instead of the train. (pretérito)
I took the bus instead of the train. (pretérito)
5.
Usaré este camino en vez del otro.
I will use this path instead of the other one. (presente de indicativo)
I will use this path instead of the other one. (presente de indicativo)
6.
Tomaría el autobús en vez del tren si tuviera prisa.
I would take the bus instead of the train if I were in a hurry. (condicional simple)
I would take the bus instead of the train if I were in a hurry. (condicional simple)
7.
No creo que uses sal en vez de azúcar.
I don't think you'll use salt instead of sugar. (presente de subjuntivo)
I don't think you'll use salt instead of sugar. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Me pidió que usara agua en vez de jugo.
She asked me to use water instead of juice. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
She asked me to use water instead of juice. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
9.
¿Has usado este método en vez del otro?
Have you used this method instead of the other one? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you used this method instead of the other one? (perfecto de indicativo)
10.
Cuando llegué, ya había tomado el autobús en vez del tren.
When I arrived, he had already taken the bus instead of the train. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
When I arrived, he had already taken the bus instead of the train. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
11.
Apenas hubo escuchado la noticia, decidió usar este método en vez del otro.
As soon as he heard the news, he decided to use this method instead of the other one. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
As soon as he heard the news, he decided to use this method instead of the other one. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
12.
Para cuando termines, ya habré usado el otro método en vez de este.
By the time you finish, I will have used the other method instead of this one. (futuro perfecto)
By the time you finish, I will have used the other method instead of this one. (futuro perfecto)
13.
Habría usado este camino en vez del otro si hubiera sabido.
I would have used this path instead of the other one if I had known. (potencial compuesto)
I would have used this path instead of the other one if I had known. (potencial compuesto)
14.
Dudo que hayan usado este método en vez del otro sin razón.
I doubt they used this method instead of the other one without reason. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I doubt they used this method instead of the other one without reason. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Si hubiera sabido que preferías este método en vez del otro, lo habría preparado así.
If I had known you preferred this method instead of the other one, I would have prepared it that way. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If I had known you preferred this method instead of the other one, I would have prepared it that way. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)