replaces

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "replaces" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that one thing is taking the place of another. Example: "The new software replaces the outdated system, improving efficiency and user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Technology

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He replaces Peter Sands, who has overseen a 30% fall in profits and a $300m fine from US authorities for breaches of money-laundering rules.

The Guardian - Business

The app replaces a paper checklist and digital camera with software.

The Guardian

Jenkins has already let it be known that he expects the 140,000 global workforce of Barclays – which includes high street banking, investment banking and fund management – to fall to 100,000 over the years as new technology replaces jobs.

The Guardian - Business

Related: Newspoll closes as News Corp Australia replaces 150 staff with 'robopoll' But the publisher of Mumbrella, Tim Burrowes, whose media and marketing website tracks industry changes, says the succession of bad news for News Corp is more a sign of the end of the financial year than of the end of newspapers.

The Guardian

This article replaces a previous version which wrongly stated that the SFO had "decided against" pursuing the Conservative party for return of funds allegedly stolen from the Polly Peck group by Asil Nadir.

The Guardian - Business

Treviso's Edoardo Gori replaces Fabio Semenzato at scrum-half while Simone Favaro drops to the bench with the flanker Robert Barbieri taking his place in the starting side.

The Guardian - Sport

It applies to England and replaces a host of out-of-date and often confusing care laws.

The Guardian

Marco Bortolami, the former Gloucester lock, replaces Cornelius Van Zyl to earn his 93rd cap.

The Guardian - Sport

At the makeshift central medical area which replaces the hospital, France and Italy worked with Algerians and were numerous enough, with enough drugs to cope with new arrivals.

The Guardian

Derbyshire's supervisory board unanimously supported the nomination of Chesterfield-born Miller, who played 254 first-class matches for the county and replaces Willie Tucker.

The Guardian - Sport

Burt replaces Norman Lamb as care minister, and said on Twitter that he follows a "decent and hard working compassionate colleague", and is keen to "listen to him and build upon his work".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "replaces" when you want to clearly indicate that one thing is taking the position or function of another, ensuring the context makes the substitution clear.

Common error

Ensure that the sentence clearly indicates both what is being replaced and what is doing the replacing to avoid confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "replaces" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'replace'. Ludwig confirms that the word indicates the action of one thing taking the place of another. The examples show it being used in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "replaces" is a very common and grammatically correct verb form used to indicate that something is taking the position or function of something else. Ludwig AI's analysis, which is based on a lot of examples from authoritative sources, shows that its usage spans across diverse contexts such as news, business, sports and technology. When looking for alternative phrases, options like "substitutes", "supplants", and "supersedes" can be used to refine the nuance of the replacement being described. When writing, ensure clarity in specifying what is being replaced and what is doing the replacing to avoid any ambiguity for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substitutes

Emphasizes the act of putting something in place of another, often temporarily or as an alternative.

replaces with

Highlights what the original element is exchanged for

supersedes

Implies that the new thing is more modern or authoritative than what it replaces.

supplants

Suggests a more forceful or complete replacement, often indicating that the new thing is superior.

takes the place of

A more verbose alternative that emphasizes the act of occupying a position or role.

takes over from

Indicates a transfer of responsibility or control from one entity to another.

steps in for

Typically used in contexts where someone is temporarily filling in for another.

displaces

Suggests a removal or ejection of something from its original position by something else.

stands in for

Is appropriate for circumstances in which a person or thing is representing something else.

swaps

Implies an exchange or trade between two items.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "replaces"?

You can use alternatives like "substitutes", "supplants", or "supersedes" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "replaces"?

Use "replaces" when one thing is taking the position or function of another. For example, "The new software replaces the old system."

Is there a difference between "replaces" and "replaces with"?

"Replaces" indicates a direct substitution, while "replaces with" explicitly states what the original item is being substituted by.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "replaces"?

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying both the item being replaced and the item doing the replacing. Also, ensure the tense is consistent within the sentence.