Substitute for
Hi,
"Could you substitute salad for the potatotes?" - I want salad.
"Could you swap out the salad for potatoes?" - I want potatoes.
This was my understanding of these two phrases. However, I noticed that some people interpret the first example in the opposite was.
"substitute salad for potatoes' - they want potatoes
Is my interpretation of the first two sentences correct?
Thank you.
Top answer
The object of "substitute" should be the new thing, not the old thing. Unfortunately, some people incorrectly make it the old thing. Some dictionaries say that the latter use is an accepted one, but I disagree.
- The object of "substitute" should be the new thing, not the old thing.
- Unfortunately, some people incorrectly make it the old thing.
- Some dictionaries say that the latter use is an accepted one, but I disagree.
- While I can just about accept a footballer being "substituted" when he is replaced on the field, the general use of "substitute" to mean the exact opposite of what it should mean is ridiculously confusing and should be condemned.
- Some people make a distinction between "substitute X for Y" (X is the new thing) and "substitute X with Y" (Y is the new thing), but it is still highly confusing.
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The object of "substitute" should be the new thing, not the old thing. Unfortunately, some people incorrectly make it the old thing. Some dictionaries say that the latter use is an accepted one, but I disagree. While I can just about accept a footballer being "substituted" when he is replaced on the field, the general use of "substitute" to mean the exact opposite of what it should mean is rid
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