Substitute for

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Hi again,This is going to be an easy one, I believe.The equivalent of I replace A with B is I substitute B for A or I substitute A for B?I've always thought the former was the case, as in I'm substituting for Jim next week, in which what comes before for is the 'replacer' and what comes after is the 'replacee'. But then, the other day, I saw someone use it the other way around.Not knowing if this person was a native, I just thought I'd ask.Thank you for your help.H.

Khoff · Accepted Answer

Oh, this drives me crazy! I agree with you about how the terms should be used. If you have no A, you might substitute B for A. But some native speakers do use it the opposite way, and some people say "substitute A with B (or B with A), which might be the result of confusion with "replace A with B."

Henry74 · Answer

Thank you for your reply, khoff.
H.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

A small extra comment.

I wouldn't say that 'replace' is exactly the same as 'substitute'.
The latter suggests more similarity between the two things.

Clive

Henry74 · Answer

Yes, I can see what you mean.
Thank you for the extra bit, Clive

H.

CalifJim · Answer

Henry74This is going to be an easy one, I believe.The equivalent of I replace A with B is I substitute B for A or I substitute A for B?

I replace A with B = I substitute B for A. In both cases, A goes away and B comes in instead.

Henry74I saw someone use it the other way around.

Ah, well. There are crazy people everywhere.

CJ

Henry74 · Answer

Okay. Thank you for your reply.
H.

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