u/ColorMyTrauma

I've seen multiple threads about this but most revolve around spelling and grammar.

The author of one of my current favorite fics is misusing "in lieu of." For example (details changed, meaning preserved) "she smiled in lieu of the sourness in her mouth."

They've done this several times, it's not a one-off mistake; they're using "in lieu of" to mean "in spite of," which is incorrect.

For context, this story has 25+ chapters, I started reading recently and I've commented a few times as I read through it up til the present. I'm thinking of leaving this comment:

"Almost up to the present. :) Omg (Character) is down so atrociously that she can't even think!! The comment about ABC took me OUT lmao. And thank goodness for (OC), remembering XYZ was clutch!

As respectfully as possible, I think you're misusing the phrase "in lieu of." It means "in place of" or "instead of." So in the sentence (Example), it would be more correct to say "in spite of" or "despite." It's an easy mistake to make and if I were making it I hope someone would point it out to me so I hope this doesn't come across as excessively negative.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the next X chapters til I catch up!"

Would this be acceptable? How would you react to this comment?

Edit: I reread the author's replies to other comments and they seem chill so I send the comment. A little rearranged so one of the compliments was at the end. I hope they take it as intended - an opportunity to grow in writing as opposed to criticism.

I know this is a long shot but I gotta ask.

I think this was Ambassador Katara and Fire Lord Zuko. All I distinctly remember are two lines that were sequential or nearly sequential in the fic.

"You drove me to distraction" and "I had to fuck my hand every night pretending it was you"

I tend to bookmark with quotes from fics I want to remember but I didn't do it for this quote - I don't think it made such an impact until I thought back on it.

Anyway thank you for your time and possibly your help!