B2 verb Neutral

substitute

/ˈsʌb.stɪ.tʃuːt/

To use something or someone instead of another person or thing. It involves providing an alternative that performs the same function or takes the same place as the original.

Ejemplos

3 de 5
1

You can substitute honey for sugar if you want a healthier sweetener.

You are able to use honey instead of sugar for a more nutritious option.

2

The court may substitute a fine for a prison sentence in certain minor cases.

The legal system might choose to impose a financial penalty instead of incarceration for small crimes.

3

Our best striker is injured, so we need to substitute him before the second half.

Our top player is hurt, so we have to put someone else in his place before the game continues.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
substitution
Verb
substitute
Adjetivo
substitutable
Relacionado
substitute
💡

Truco para recordar

The prefix 'sub-' means 'under' or 'in place of' (like a subway or submarine). Think of a 'sub' standing in place of the main person.

Quiz rápido

The chef had to ___ margarine for butter because they ran out of dairy products.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: substitute

Ejemplos

1

You can substitute honey for sugar if you want a healthier sweetener.

everyday

You are able to use honey instead of sugar for a more nutritious option.

2

The court may substitute a fine for a prison sentence in certain minor cases.

formal

The legal system might choose to impose a financial penalty instead of incarceration for small crimes.

3

Our best striker is injured, so we need to substitute him before the second half.

informal

Our top player is hurt, so we have to put someone else in his place before the game continues.

4

In this algebraic expression, substitute the value of three for every occurrence of x.

academic

In this math problem, place the number three wherever the letter x appears.

5

Management decided to substitute the current software with a more cost-effective solution.

business

The leaders chose to replace the existing program with one that costs less money.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
substitution
Verb
substitute
Adjetivo
substitutable
Relacionado
substitute

Colocaciones comunes

substitute A for B to use item A instead of item B
substitute with to replace something using a specific alternative
substitute teacher a person who teaches a class when the regular teacher is absent
no substitute for used to say that something is the best and nothing else is as good
serve as a substitute to act as a temporary replacement

Frases Comunes

accept no substitutes

a phrase meaning one should only take the original or best version

substitute for

to act or be used in place of someone or something else

in substitution of

the act of using one thing instead of another

Se confunde a menudo con

substitute vs replace

'Replace' often implies the original is gone or broken; 'substitute' focuses on the choice of using an alternative.

📝

Notas de uso

When using 'substitute' as a verb, remember the pattern: substitute [new thing] for [old thing]. If you use 'replace', the pattern is replace [old thing] with [new thing].

⚠️

Errores comunes

Learners often mix up the prepositions. Avoid saying 'substitute with sugar for honey' if you mean you are using sugar; instead, say 'substitute sugar for honey'.

💡

Truco para recordar

The prefix 'sub-' means 'under' or 'in place of' (like a subway or submarine). Think of a 'sub' standing in place of the main person.

📖

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin 'substitutus', the past participle of 'substituere', meaning 'to put in place of'.

Patrones gramaticales

Transitive verb: Requires an object. Regular verb: Past tense is 'substituted', present participle is 'substituting'. Common structure: Substitute + Object + For + Recipient.
🌍

Contexto cultural

In American and British schools, a 'substitute teacher' (or 'supply teacher') is a very common cultural figure known for filling in for absent educators.

Quiz rápido

The chef had to ___ margarine for butter because they ran out of dairy products.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: substitute

Palabras relacionadas

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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