Meaning & use
replace
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To put something new or different in the place of something that was lost, broken or old.
Grammar: The object is the old item; the new one follows with: replace the bulb with a new one.
Patterns
- replace something with something
- replace something
I need to replace the battery in my watch.
They replaced the old windows with new ones.
The shop will replace the broken cup for free.
verbtransitive
To take over the role or job of a person or thing.
Grammar: Often passive: she was replaced by a younger player.
Patterns
- replace someone as something
- be replaced by someone
Maria will replace John as team captain.
Machines have replaced many workers in the factory.
Email has largely replaced the printed letter.
verbtransitiveformal
To put something back where it was.
Grammar: Somewhat formal; used with objects that belong in a place.
Patterns
- replace something on something
Please replace the books on the shelf when you finish.
He replaced the phone on its cradle.
She replaced the lid on the jar.
Word forms
| third person singular | replaces |
|---|---|
| past tense | replaced |
| past participle | replaced |
| -ing form | replacing |
Common combinations
- replace with
- She replaced sugar with honey.
- replace a part
- The mechanic replaced a faulty part.
- easily replaced
- A cracked screen is easily replaced.
- replace the battery
- Remember to replace the battery every year.
- be replaced by
- The old bridge was replaced by a new one.
Synonyms and how they differ
- substitute
- Substitute stresses using one thing in place of another, and works both ways in the structure substitute A for B.
- swap
- Swap is casual and often means exchanging two things.
- supersede
- Supersede is formal and means to take the place of something outdated.
- succeed
- Succeed means to follow into a role or job and fits only for roles and positions.
Opposites
Word family
- replacement noun
- a person or thing that takes the place of another
- replaceable adjective
- able to be replaced
- irreplaceable adjective
- impossible to replace
- displace verb
- to force out of position
Commonly confused: replace or displace?
replace vs displace
Displace means to move something from its usual place, but replace means to put something else in its place.
Practice
The mechanic will ____ the worn tires with new ones tomorrow.
Choose one answer.
Replace ... with new ones is the correct pattern. Repair would mean fix, and remove has no with new ones.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “replace”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.