Replace all roads for rails

Question

Are both of the following sentences correct, anddo they carry the same meaning? Please let me know.1: Replace all? roads for rails.2: Replace all? roads with rails.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

1: Replace all? roads for rails.
2: Replace all? roads with rails.

The first makes no sense. The second is fine.

These could be imperative sentences, or items in a list (not sentences).

We use "for" with "exchange," but it wouldn't work here. The "replacing" task would be quite extensive, and couldn't be described as an exchange.

You could say something like, "We're replacing the rail cars with rubber tired trolleys."
(Or, "We're exchanging the rail cars FOR rubber tired trolleys.")

Re #2, it would be better to say "with a rail system," or "with rail systems."
The rail bed (with ties, or whatever) must be extensively prepared. Your version makes it seem like you would just drop the rails off a truck.

The problem really is that "road" can mean the pavement, or it can mean "the road from here to Boston."
You can also say, "the railroad from here to Boston."
When you say "replace the road with rails," it throws us off.
If you say, "replace the pavement with rails," then we're talking about equal things.
But "a rail system" sounds most natural to me.

- B.

Mister Micawber · Answer

I don't understand #1.

Replace all roads for rails

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