'Instead of' vs 'In stead of'
Is the following sentence valid?
They did this in stead of that.
What is the correct usage of the phrase instead of?
Solution 1:
Stead as a noun exists, but is archaic. If you want to use it, it needs a specifier: his stead as in WS2's answer, or the stead. So you can say in the stead of; but instead of is much more common.
Solution 2:
Instead is usually written as one word. It does not mean however that in and stead, cannot be separated in some circumstances e.g.:
My father is too ill to go to the meeting so I shall go in his stead.