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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
replacing by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "replacing by" is not grammatically correct.
In English, the verb "replace" is typically followed by the preposition "with." For example, "I replaced my old phone with a new one." To use "replacing by" in a sentence, you could say, "I am replacing the old method by the new one." However, this sentence would sound more natural as, "I am replacing the old method with the new one." The word "by" is usually used to indicate the means or method of doing something, rather than a replacement or substitution. Another example could be, "The role of CEO was replaced by the newly appointed executive." This can also be rephrased as, "The role of CEO was replaced with the newly appointed executive." In this case, "by" is used to indicate who or what is performing the action of replacing. In summary, "replacing by" is not grammatically incorrect, but it is not commonly used in written English. It is preferred to use "replacing with" or restructure the sentence to avoid using "by" in this context.
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Around a third of British power stations will need replacing by 2015.
News & Media
Replacing by in (3.4).
Replacing by, we have (321).
Replacing by, we get (2.13).
Replacing by, we obtain (3.35).
and replacing by gives (245).
and then replacing by, (3.26).
Replacing by, we have (3.107).
Replacing by in (2.6), we obtain.
Now by replacing by, we get (2.20).
Replacing by in (2.17), respectively, we get.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Whenever possible, replace the phrase "replacing by" with "replacing with" for improved grammatical correctness and clarity.
Common error
While "replacing by" is sometimes seen in technical writing, it's generally considered incorrect. To avoid this error, always use "replacing with" to ensure grammatical accuracy.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "replacing by" functions as a gerund phrase followed by a preposition. Although frequently used, especially in scientific writing, it is generally considered grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting it's preferable to use "replacing with".
Frequent in
Science
75%
News & Media
15%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "replacing by" appears frequently in scientific and technical literature, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The preferred alternative is "replacing with". Ludwig AI highlights this grammatical concern, and it's reflected in the expert rating. Although prevalent in certain contexts like scientific writing, it's advisable to use "replacing with" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. The frequency of "replacing by" in scientific sources underscores its contextual relevance, but it's crucial to be aware of the grammatical implications.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
replacing with
The most grammatically correct and commonly used alternative.
substituting with
Focuses on the act of putting something in place of another, emphasizing the action.
exchanging for
Highlights the swap or trade between two items.
swapping out with
Implies a quick and easy replacement.
substituting in place of
More formal and explicitly states the item being replaced.
switching over to
Suggests a transition from one thing to another.
changing to
A simpler way to express the act of alteration.
converting to
Implies a transformation during the replacement.
using instead of
Highlights the preference for one item over another.
adopting as a substitute for
A formal way to describe the act of embracing a replacement.
FAQs
Is "replacing by" grammatically correct?
Generally, no. The grammatically preferred phrase is "replacing with". While "replacing by" appears in some technical contexts, it's not considered standard English.
What can I say instead of "replacing by"?
The most direct alternative is "replacing with". Depending on the context, you could also use "substituting with" or "exchanging for".
Which is correct, "replacing by" or "replacing with"?
"Replacing with" is the grammatically correct choice. "Replacing by" is less common and often considered an error, although it appears in some specialized contexts.
Why is "replacing with" preferred over "replacing by"?
The verb "replace" typically takes "with" to indicate what something is being substituted for. Using "by" can be confusing as "by" usually indicates the means or agent of an action, not the replacement itself. So, "replacing with" is more aligned with standard English grammar.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested