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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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replacing by

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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

The Economist

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.

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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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".

Expression frequency: Very common

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.

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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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: