法律文件中的用词十分讲究，表示“替代”时，作动词时，最常见的是replace，但更为正式的文件中，一般选用supersede，作形容词时，一般选用alternative，作名词时，一般选用alternative和substitution，而词组则常用in lieu of/thereof，substitute with，其中，in lieu of 的用法相当于instead of或in place of。

接下来就结合实例进行进一步探讨。

例1. 《优先注册期规则》的任何修订版将于修订版开头所列的生效日期生效，并且将替代所有《优先注册期规则》之前的版本。

Any amended version of the Pre Launch Priority Registration Period Rules will become effective on the effective date specified at the beginning of the amended version, and will replace all previous versions of the Pre Launch Priority Registration Period Rules.

例2. 待加工协议成为无附带条件后，将会取代初步加工协议，而初步加工协议将予以终止。

Upon the Subcontracting Agreement becoming unconditional, it will supersede the Initial Subcontracting Agreement and the latter will be terminated.

两个例子都出自合同，合同作为一种正式文体，译文的风格和用词也需要与之对照，例1和例2中的替代都是做动词，译者分别选用了replace和supersede来翻译。

例3. 针对这一要求，秘书长在 2004 年关于大会和会议管理部改革问题的报告中提出了 5 种替代交付方法。

In response to that request, the Secretary-General, in his report in 2004 on the reform of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, suggested five alternative methods of delivery.

例4. 在适当和可能的情况下，应当尽量实施替代方式管理犯有罪行的女性，例如转送教改机构措施和审判前及判决替代安排等。

Alternative ways of managing women who commit offences, such as diversionary measures and pretrial and sentencing alternatives, shall be implemented wherever appropriate and possible.

例3和例4中，译者均选用alternative来表示替代，例3中alternative为形容词形式，修饰method，而例4中灵活运用了alternative分别作为形容词和名词的表达。

除此之外，英语法律文件尤其是英语合同中，在表示替代时，更频繁使用的其实是 in lieu of/thereof 这个短语。

例5. At a member’s request, or with his consent in writing, a company should send him an electronic copy, in lieu of a hard copy, of the financial documents or the summary financial report under item (b) above.

（公司须应成员的要求或在成员的书面同意下，向其送交有关上文(b)项的财务文件或财务摘要报告的电子副本，以代替纸质副本。）

例6.  That such dividend be satisfied wholly or in part in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid provided that the shareholders entitled thereto will be entitled to elect to receive such dividend (or part thereof) in cash in lieu of such allotment.

（配发入账列为缴足之股份以派发全部或部分股息，惟有权获派股息之股东将有权选择以现金收取股息或部分股息代替配发。）

例7.  An alternate Director shall, if his appointor so requests, be entitled to receive notices of meetings of the Board or committees of the Board to the same extent as, but in lieu of, the Director appointing him and shall be entitled to ...

（如其委任人要求，替任董事有权在与作出委任的董事相同的范围内，代替该董事接收董事会会议或董事委员会会议的通知，并有权……）

例8. Written Independent Shareholders’ approval for the Acquisitions may be obtained by means of written approval from Tsinlien in lieu of holding a general meeting.

（该等收购事项所需之独立股东书面批准可透过获得津联发出书面批准之方式代替举行股东大会。）

例9.  Activities related to military service, as well as activities performed in lieu thereof, according to the law, due to religious or conscience-related reasons.

（兵役相关活动，以及根据法律规定，基于宗教或良知相关原因，以替代方式从事的活动。）

例10. No termination notice or compensation in lieu thereof shall be given in case of dismissal.

（在撤职的情况下，不给予任何解雇通知或代替通知的补偿金。）