replace each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "replace each other" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe two things or people that are taking the place of one another, usually on a regular basis. For example, "The two employees took turns replacing each other on the evening shift."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This approach involves understanding which sites and species contribute to beta diversity, followed by the untangling of beta diversity into distinct processes, such as replacement (species replace each other along ecological gradients) and richness difference (different communities have a different number of species)32,33.

Nature

The two species replace each other geographically, with little or no overlap.

Cornell University

The sensors are not equally sensitive in all regions of the visible and invisible spectrum, so they can replace each other in turn.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

The piece ends with Nass making some good points about how, historically, communication media, for the most part, don't replace each other when they are invented.

University of California, Berkeley

There is also the generation cycle, which the Industrial Revolution has not suppressed: the generations still replace each other, in spite of the lengthening of life expectancies.

Britannica

The five species of baboon replace each other geographically across the open country of Africa from parts of the Sahara southward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There's even a rule whereby tag teams of fighters can replace each other in the ring when a teammate steps out, as if the whole exercise is an elaborate game of dodgeball.

The New Yorker

And, importantly, the study demonstrates how one of the world's biggest sources of low-carbon energy (nuclear) and the world's fastest growing energy source (renewables) can work together rather than replace each other.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The two species also replace each other very abruptly in Costa Rica, with Gray-cowled reaching its northern limit in southwestern Costa Rica, and Russet-Naped Wood-Rail from northeastern Costa Rica north to eastern Mexico.

Cornell University

They factored in the amount of carbon and nutrients that cycle through a particular biome, as well as how it responds to disturbances and how plant populations replace each other through succession.

Princeton University

These investigators employ a production function in which labour and capital can replace each other but not as readily as in the Cobb-Douglas function, a change that has two very important consequences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "replace each other" when you want to clearly convey that two or more entities are taking the position or role of the other in a reciprocal manner. This often implies a cyclical or alternating relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "replace each other" when the action is one-directional. If one entity is permanently taking the place of another without a return, consider using "replace" without "each other" to accurately depict the single substitution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "replace each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating a mutual action between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in describing instances where entities mutually take the place of one another. Examples show it used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

Academia

27%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "replace each other" is a grammatically correct and frequently used reciprocal phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys the concept of two or more entities mutually taking the place of one another. Common contexts include science, academia, and news media. When using the phrase, ensure the action is indeed reciprocal. Alternatives like "substitute each other" or "interchange with each other" can be used for subtle variations in meaning. Remember that while the phrase is versatile, it's essential to ensure it accurately reflects the reciprocal nature of the action being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substitute each other

Emphasizes the act of swapping roles or functions.

take each other's place

Directly indicates assuming the position or role of another.

supplant each other

Suggests one entity taking the place of another, often implying a power dynamic.

be interchangeable

Highlights the property of being able to be exchanged without affecting the outcome.

interchange with each other

Highlights the mutual exchange or swapping of roles.

alternate with each other

Focuses on a pattern of taking turns or following in sequence.

succeed each other

Implies a sequence where one follows the other in a specific order.

displace each other

Highlights the movement of one thing forcing another out of its position.

compensate each other

Suggests that one makes up for the deficiencies of the other.

function as alternatives

Emphasizes the ability of two things to be used in place of one another.

FAQs

How can I use "replace each other" in a sentence?

You can use "replace each other" to describe a situation where two or more things are taking the place of one another. For instance, "The shifts workers "replace each other" every eight hours".

What's a simple way to describe things that "replace each other"?

A simple way to describe things that "replace each other" is to say that they "substitute each other" or "interchange with each other". This emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the replacement.

Is it always necessary to include "each other" when something is replaced?

No, it is not always necessary. If only one thing is doing the replacing, just use "replace". But if the action is reciprocal, as in both are taking the place of the other, use ""replace each other"".

What is the difference between ""replace each other"" and "succeed each other"?

"Replace each other" implies a reciprocal substitution. "Succeed each other" suggests a sequence or order where one follows another, which may not be immediately reciprocal.