swap out

USAGE SUMMARY

"swap out" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is a phrasal verb meaning to replace or substitute something. For example: I'm going to have to swap out this old computer for a newer model.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Want to swap out your shift pulling guard duty?

The New York Times

Customers would pay to swap out their battery packs.

Harvard Business Review

What's the hardest piece to swap out?

Forbes

It's open source so you can swap out applications.

TechCrunch

Unfortunately, you can't swap out batteries on the S6 Edge+.

TechCrunch

Or swap out London for Dublin and do the same.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Parts were swapped out, rescued, jerry-rigged.

The New Yorker

And swapping out different priors would be one of those.

Cornell University

You can start by swapping out the meat frankfurters.

The New York Times

They are swapped out for abstractions like "energy" and "uniqueness".

The New Yorker

They declared Election Day a paid holiday – by swapping out Columbus Day.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about upgrades or modifications, use "swap out" to emphasize the direct exchange of one component for another, especially when the process is straightforward. For example: "I decided to swap out the old hard drive for a solid-state drive to improve performance."

Common error

While "swap out" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "replace", "substitute", or "exchange" might be more appropriate. Consider the tone and audience when choosing your vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "swap out" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It describes the action of removing something and replacing it with something else. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from swapping batteries to software.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

25%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swap out" is a versatile phrasal verb that means to replace something with something else, often to improve functionality or update components. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable term in written English. The phrase is frequently used in news articles, WikiHow guides, and academic papers, showcasing its applicability across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the audience and tone of your writing, opting for more formal alternatives like "replace" or "substitute" in highly formal settings. The phrase "swap out" is easy to replace with synonyms such as "replace with" or "substitute for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replace with

Focuses on the action of putting something new in the place of something old, emphasizing the result of the exchange.

substitute for

Similar to 'replace', but often used when the replacement serves as an equivalent or alternative.

exchange for

Highlights the mutual giving and receiving aspect of the change.

trade for

Emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the exchange, often implying a negotiation or agreement.

switch over to

Suggests a complete shift or transition from one thing to another.

change to

A more general term for altering something, which can include replacement.

convert to

Implies a transformation from one state or form to another.

supplant with

Indicates that the replacement is taking the place of something else, often with the implication of dominance.

remove and replace

More explicit, specifying both the removal of the old item and the insertion of the new one.

alter to

Suggests making a modification, which could involve replacing a part.

FAQs

How do you use "swap out" in a sentence?

You can use "swap out" to describe replacing one thing with another, such as, "I need to "swap out" the tires on my car" or "The company decided to "swap out" the old software for a new version".

What's a simple way to explain what "swap out" means?

"Swap out" simply means to replace something with something else. It's like exchanging one item for another, often to improve performance or functionality.

What can I say instead of "swap out" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use alternatives like "replace with", "substitute for", or "exchange for" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "swap out" and "replace"?

While both "swap out" and "replace" mean to put something in place of another, "swap out" often implies a quick and easy exchange, whereas "replace" can be a more general term.