deputising for

USAGE SUMMARY

"deputising for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrasal verb meaning to act in the place of somebody else, usually for a short period of time. Example sentence: I am deputising for my boss while he is on holiday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Russell Jackson here deputising for Geoff Lemon for now.

The Guardian - Sport

Ben Foster, deputising for Joe Hart, was unconvincing.

The Guardian - Sport

Those deputising for them – Harriet Harman, George Osborne and Vince Cable – are being taken to pieces.

The Guardian

King, deputising for the suspended Danny Drinkwater, was anticipating the pass and supplied an assured finish.

The Guardian - Sport

And as Angela Eagle demonstrated recently, deputising for Corbyn at PMQs, they might do infinitely better.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clark was deputising for Hegarty, who missed out on his 52nd consecutive European match for Dundee United.

The Guardian - Sport

Cerys Matthews does an exquisite job of deputising for Nina Persson on "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough".

Independent

Retre, 22, did the same, deputising for Ivan Franjic at right-back until the Socceroo regained his fitness.

The Guardian - Sport

The goalkeeper, still deputising for Thibaut Courtois, made a hash of a clearance and conceded a corner with Chelsea leading.

The Guardian - Sport

The Belgium forward Michy Batshuayi is expected to start in the Premier League for the first time against Bournemouth on Boxing Day, deputising for Costa.

The Guardian - Sport

Manager Roy Hodgson has decided not to bring in a right-back to fill in for the suspended Kyle Walker, who himself was deputising for Glen Johnson.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deputising for", ensure the context clearly indicates who is being replaced and the temporary nature of the substitution. Be specific about the reason for the absence if relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "deputising for" when the replacement is permanent. Use terms like "succeeding" or "replacing" instead if the change is not temporary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deputising for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of temporarily replacing someone in a specific role or capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deputising for" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrasal verb that indicates the temporary replacement of someone in a role. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. Predominantly found in news and sports reporting, it serves the purpose of informing audiences about these temporary substitutions. While generally neutral in register, it is less common in highly formal or academic settings. Related phrases include "standing in for" and "filling in for". It's essential to ensure the context clearly conveys the temporary nature of the replacement and who is being replaced. Common mistakes involve using it for permanent replacements. Overall, it is a valuable phrase for clearly communicating temporary role substitutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standing in for

Emphasizes the act of taking someone's place temporarily.

filling in for

Highlights the action of covering duties during someone's absence.

covering for

Implies managing someone's responsibilities while they are away.

substituting for

A more formal alternative, indicating a replacement.

replacing temporarily

Directly states the temporary nature of the replacement.

taking the place of

A more literal expression of substitution.

acting as proxy for

Suggests representing someone's interests or decisions in their absence.

officiating in lieu of

Common in formal contexts to indicate someone performing official functions when the normal holder is unavailable.

pinch-hitting for

Idiomatic, typically used in business contexts, indicating an emergency fill-in situation.

understudying for

Highlights a role in performing arts, indicating covering an actor in a play or musical.

FAQs

What does "deputising for" mean?

"Deputising for" means temporarily acting in someone's place, typically because they are absent or unavailable.

How do I use "deputising for" in a sentence?

You can use "deputising for" like this: "John is "standing in for" the manager while she's on leave."

What are some alternatives to "deputising for"?

Alternatives include "filling in for", "substituting for", or "standing in for".

Is "deputising for" formal or informal?

"Deputising for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, commonly used in news reports and professional settings. Consider using alternatives like "acting as proxy for" in especially formal contexts.