in their place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in their place" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something being replaced by something else. For example: "The old trees were cut down and new ones were planted in their place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In their place?

The New York Times - Arts

In their place, the hybrids created monocultures.

The New Yorker

So the women were in their place?

The New York Times

He appointed two businessmen in their place.

The Economist

I love cyclists – in their place.

Independent

Digital reproductions now hang in their place.

The New York Times

And gained what, in their place?

The New Yorker

In their place, finally: sky and sun.

The New York Times

I could have been in their place".

The New York Times

In their place, a decentralized network emerged.

The New York Times

But others spring up in their place.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their place" when you want to clearly indicate a substitution has occurred, emphasizing that something now occupies the role or position previously held by something else.

Common error

Avoid using "in their place" if the replacement is not a direct or complete substitution. For example, if you are adding to something, rather than replacing it, a phrase like "in addition to" or "alongside" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their place" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate substitution or replacement. Ludwig's examples confirm its versatile usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in their place" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate substitution or replacement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in wiki and science contexts. When using "in their place", ensure that a direct and complete substitution is intended. Remember that phrases such as "instead of them" or "replacing them" may serve as appropriate replacements depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replacing them

A straightforward and common way to describe the act of replacement.

instead of them

Direct replacement focusing on the act of substituting one thing for another.

as a substitute for them

Formal alternative, highlighting the role of something acting as a replacement.

to take their positions

Emphasizes the act of assuming a role or function previously held.

in their stead

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative for "in their place".

to fill the void they left

Focuses on the absence created by the departure and the need for replacement.

as a stand-in for them

Highlights the temporary nature of the substitution.

in exchange for them

Implies a trade or swap where one thing is given up for another.

superseding them

Suggests that the replacement is better or more advanced than what it replaced.

as their successors

Highlights the idea of following or coming after, often in a formal or official context.

FAQs

How can I use "in their place" in a sentence?

You can use "in their place" to indicate that something or someone has been substituted for something or someone else. For example, "When the original painting was damaged, a reproduction was hung "in their place"".

What are some alternatives to using "in their place"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "instead of them", "replacing them", or "as a substitute for them".

Is it more formal to say "in their stead" or "in their place"?

"In their stead" is generally considered more formal and somewhat archaic compared to ""in their place"", which is more common in contemporary usage.

When should I not use "in their place"?

Avoid using ""in their place"" if the substitution is not direct or complete. In situations where you are adding to something, phrases like "in addition to" or "alongside" are more appropriate.