possible substitutes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possible substitutes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing alternatives or replacements for a particular item, idea, or concept. Example: "When considering a new recipe, it's helpful to know about possible substitutes for ingredients you may not have on hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The leading possible substitutes, like Gnutella and Freenet, are considerably harder to use.

The New York Times

Na-ion batteries (NIB) are now attracting researchers' attention as possible substitutes of Li-ion batteries.

Electrochimica Acta

One of the most attractive possible substitutes for petroleum-derived products, such as oil and commodity chemicals, is plant biomass.

MIT Technology Review

Coal liquids from Direct Coal Liquefaction (DCL) are one of the possible substitutes of conventional hydrocarbons resources.

Fuel

The panel said it had recommended many of the exemptions with reservations, in the absence of hard data on possible substitutes.

The New York Times

Civoniceva is listed among the possible substitutes, but Scott, 25, clearly did enough in a stormy Test debut against the Kiwis last week to earn preference.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Another possible substitute is DORIS BURKE, the analyst for Liberty games on the MSG Network.

The New York Times - Sports

Researchers from the Energy Department's Ames Laboratory, in Ames, Iowa, are working with cerium as a possible substitute for neodymium.

The New York Times

It is viewed as a possible substitute for public assistance or as an alternative to family allowances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hence, the chitosan/PVA/GO (6 wt%) nanofiber can be used as possible substitute as an artificial cartilage.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

Industry advocates often point out that nuclear power emits less CO2 than coal – a possible substitute fuel if Tihange 2 is shut.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing options, use "possible substitutes" to indicate that these are not necessarily the ideal choice, but are workable alternatives. For example, "Given the scarcity of rare earth elements, product development teams should explore "possible substitutes" for neodymium."

Common error

Avoid presenting "possible substitutes" as equal or superior to the original. Clearly communicate any limitations or compromises associated with using the substitute. For example, avoid saying "This new material is a perfect substitute", instead use "This new material can be used as a "possible substitute", although it has some performance limitations compared to the original material."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible substitutes" functions as a noun phrase describing potential alternatives or replacements for something. It is typically used to identify options that could be used in place of something else, though not necessarily the ideal or preferred choice. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "possible substitutes" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to refer to alternative options. It's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from formal scientific and business discussions to more general news and media. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability. When using this phrase, keep in mind that it implies the alternatives are not necessarily ideal, but are workable options. Remember to clearly communicate any limitations associated with the "possible substitutes".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential replacements

Emphasizes the capacity to take the place of something else, stressing the element of replacing.

feasible alternatives

Focuses on the practicality and suitability of the alternatives.

viable options

Highlights the ability of the options to work successfully.

available stand-ins

Stresses the readiness and accessibility of the substitutes.

prospective solutions

Implies that the substitutes are being considered as ways to resolve a problem.

alternate resources

Highlights that the substitutes are different resources that can be used.

backup plans

Suggests that the substitutes are intended for use if the primary option fails.

secondary choices

Indicates that the substitutes are less preferred but still usable.

contingency measures

Emphasizes the role of the substitutes in dealing with unexpected events.

proxy solutions

Highlights that substitutes act as an intermediate or stand-in for something else.

FAQs

How can I use "possible substitutes" in a sentence?

You can use "possible substitutes" to discuss alternatives or replacements for a particular item, idea, or concept. For example: "When considering a new recipe, it's helpful to know about "possible substitutes" for ingredients you may not have on hand."

What are some alternatives to saying "possible substitutes"?

You can use alternatives like "potential replacements", "feasible alternatives", or "viable options" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "possible substitutes"?

Yes, "possible substitutes" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. Ludwig AI also confirms this.

When should I use "possible substitutes" instead of "potential substitutes"?

"Possible substitutes" and "potential substitutes" are often interchangeable, but "possible" emphasizes that the alternatives are under consideration, while "potential" highlights their inherent capability to substitute.