be displaced by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be displaced by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one thing is replaced or moved from its original position by another thing. Example: "In the future, traditional jobs may be displaced by automation and artificial intelligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Might it be displaced by a sort of repulsion?

The New York Times

Are the unpredictable and incalculable doomed to be displaced by false certainties and familiar comforts?

The New York Times - Books

He was hardly pleased to be displaced by a convoy of Puritans.

The New Yorker

More than one million Bangladeshis could be displaced by rising sea levels by 2050.

The Guardian

Elite institutions like Williams are the ones least likely to be displaced by technological innovation.

The New York Times

French notes aren't even the most attractive ones to be displaced by the euro.

The New York Times

With tertiary amines, an alkyl group may be displaced by a halogen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I can be displaced by technology, but they still can't fire me," he says.

The New York Times

The presumption for or against bail can be displaced by evidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Critics of a $15-an-hour 15-an-hour 15-an-hourned that fast-food workers could be displaced by minimums.

Huffington Post

These are the workers most likely to be displaced by technology or foreign competition.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be displaced by", ensure the sentence clearly indicates both what is being displaced and what is doing the displacing to avoid ambiguity. For example, 'Traditional jobs are likely to be displaced by automation' is clearer than 'Jobs will be displaced.'

Common error

A common mistake is not clearly specifying the agent causing the displacement. To improve clarity, always explicitly state what is causing the displacement; for example, say 'The manual process will be displaced by the new software' instead of 'The process will be displaced'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be displaced by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (the subject) is acted upon, specifically being replaced or moved from its original position by an agent. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be displaced by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something is being replaced or moved from its original position by something else, as supported by Ludwig. It appears most commonly in news and scientific contexts but is also suitable for general use. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always specify both the entity being displaced and the agent causing the displacement. Alternatives such as ""be replaced by"" or ""be superseded by"" can be considered based on the specific shade of meaning you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be replaced by

Indicates a direct substitution of one thing for another, similar to being displaced, but emphasizes the act of replacing.

be substituted by

Similar to 'be replaced by', but can imply a more temporary or interchangeable relationship.

be superseded by

Suggests that something newer or more effective has taken the place of the original, implying obsolescence.

be supplanted by

Indicates a gradual and often subtle replacement, where the new thing slowly takes over.

be ousted by

Implies a forceful removal or replacement, often in a competitive or power-related context.

be unseated by

Implies that something has been removed by its seat by something, emphasizing displacement from a position.

be overthrown by

Suggests a complete and often dramatic removal from power or position.

be ejected by

Emphasizes a forceful or abrupt removal or displacement.

give way to

Describes something gradually being replaced by something else, often due to pressure or change.

make room for

Implies that space or opportunity is being created for something new, leading to displacement.

FAQs

How can I use "be displaced by" in a sentence?

Use "be displaced by" to indicate that something is being replaced or moved from its original position due to the influence of something else. For example, 'Many workers fear they will "be replaced by" automation'.

What are some alternatives to "be displaced by"?

Alternatives include "be replaced by", "be superseded by", or "be supplanted by". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be replaced by" or "be displaced by"?

Both "be displaced by" and ""be replaced by"" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. However, "be displaced by" often implies a more significant shift or movement, while "be replaced by" indicates a direct substitution.

What does "be displaced by" mean?

"Be displaced by" means to be moved from its place or replaced by something else, often due to a force, influence, or development. It suggests a change in position or status due to an external factor, similar to "be forced out by".