substitute
/ˈsʌb.stɪ.tʃuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsʌb.stə.tuːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsəb-stə-ˌtüt -ˌtyüt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsʌbstɪtuːt/ (ame, ipa)
substitute — verb
- substitutepresent simple I / you / we / they
- substitutes3rd person singular
- substituting-ing form
- substitutedpast simple
1. to pick a different thing or person to serve instead of the usual one, especiall
to pick a different thing or person to serve instead of the usual one, especially when the original is not available or suitable for a particular purpose.
You can substitute olive oil for butter in this pasta recipe to make it lighter.
substitute + noun + for + noun
When the bakery ran out of wholemeal flour, the baker substituted white flour instead.
transitive: substitute + noun
Hamza substituted his usual morning coffee with green tea during the detox week.
Constanza asked if the restaurant could substitute rice for potatoes with the main dish.
In many baking recipes, you can substitute honey for sugar without changing the result much.
文法句型
substitute + noun + for + noun
substitute + for + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in cooking, manufacturing, or any context where one item replaces another. The pattern 'substitute A for B' means A replaces B — the object directly after 'substitute' is the new item being used.
常見錯誤
2. to perform someone else's job or duties for a short time while they are away, il
to perform someone else's job or duties for a short time while they are away, ill, or unable to do their work themselves.
James substituted for the maths teacher while she was on maternity leave for six weeks.
substitute + for + person
A backup band member substituted for the lead singer when he lost his voice.
Sana substituted for her sick colleague at the morning meeting and presented the sales report.
Gabriel asked his neighbour to substitute for him at the weekend shift.
A junior nurse substituted for the head nurse during the night shift at the hospital.
- stand in for
phrasal verb; slightly more informal, very common in workplace contexts
- fill in for
phrasal verb; informal, used especially for temporary work coverage
- cover for
phrasal verb; implies protecting the absent person's responsibilities
文法句型
substitute + for + noun (person/role)
用法筆記
This sense is intransitive and always takes 'for' before the person or role being replaced. Distinguish from sense 1 (USE INSTEAD), where you choose one item over another — here, a person steps into another person's role temporarily.
常見錯誤
3. in a sporting event, to send a fresh player onto the field or court to take the
in a sporting event, to send a fresh player onto the field or court to take the position of a player who is leaving, usually because of injury, tiredness, or tactical reasons.
The coach substituted Marco in the second half after the starting striker twisted his ankle.
substitute + player + in + time frame
The manager substituted the tired defender with a younger player who had more energy.
substitute + player + with + player
Yan was substituted out of the match after receiving a yellow card.
The team substituted their goalkeeper for an extra forward in the final five minutes.
文法句型
substitute + player + for + player
用法筆記
The pattern 'substitute A for B' in sports can cause confusion: the first noun (A) is the player entering the game, and the second noun (B) is the player leaving. Frequently used in passive voice: 'He was substituted in the 70th minute.'
常見錯誤
substitute — noun
- substitutesingular
- substitutesplural
1. any object or individual you choose to carry out the role of someone or somethin
any object or individual you choose to carry out the role of someone or something else, particularly when the original cannot be obtained or used.
Leo used yogurt as a substitute for cream in the pasta sauce to cut calories.
a substitute + for + noun
When the manager fell ill, the company hired a temporary substitute to run the department.
Yasmin found a good substitute for the broken door handle at the local hardware store.
Esteban's grandmother used applesauce as a substitute for eggs in the cake recipe.
The team could not find a suitable substitute for their retiring captain before the season.
- replacement
can be more permanent; 'substitute' suggests temporary use
- stand-in
informal; used mainly for people filling another's role
- alternative
broader; suggests a second option rather than a replacement
- original
the first or genuine item before any substitution
文法句型
a + substitute + for + noun
act as a + substitute
use as a + substitute
用法筆記
Often used with 'for' to specify what is being replaced. Common modifiers: 'good', 'perfect', 'temporary', 'suitable'. When referring to a person filling a role, 'replacement' can sound more permanent than 'substitute'.
常見錯誤
2. a player who begins a game sitting on the bench and later enters the game to tak
a player who begins a game sitting on the bench and later enters the game to take the position of another player from the same team.
Amira came off the bench as a substitute and scored the winning goal.
come on / come off the bench as a substitute
The basketball team had three substitutes ready on the sidelines for the fourth quarter.
The coach called a substitute to replace the injured player in the second half.
A good substitute must stay warmed up and focused, ready to play at any moment.
James was an unused substitute in all three games of the championship tournament.
- bench player
informal; emphasises the player's position on the sidelines
- reserve
especially in British English; slightly more formal
- backup
informal American English; used broadly for any reserve
- starter
a player who begins the game on the field or court
文法句型
come on as a + substitute
on the + substitutes' bench
用法筆記
In team sports, a 'substitute' is contrasted with a 'starter' (a player in the starting lineup). 'Unused substitute' means the player was available on the bench but never entered the game.
3. used in a fixed expression to state that nothing else can provide the same quali
used in a fixed expression to state that nothing else can provide the same quality, benefit, or effect as the thing mentioned — no alternative is equally good.
There is no substitute for hard work when you want to build a successful business.
there is no substitute for + noun
For a bad cold, there is no substitute for rest, warm drinks, and sleep.
My grandfather always said there is no substitute for home-cooked food made with fresh ingredients.
When learning a new language, there is no substitute for daily practice and real conversations.
- equivalent
noun; 'there is no equivalent for' is a similar structure but less idiomatic
文法句型
there is no substitute + for + noun/gerund
用法筆記
This is a fixed expression — the noun form 'substitute' is almost always used in the negative structure 'there is no substitute for...'. It emphasises the unique value of the thing mentioned. Not used in affirmative forms (*'there is a substitute for') with this same meaning.
常見錯誤
4. a teacher who works temporarily in a classroom when the regular teacher is away,
a teacher who works temporarily in a classroom when the regular teacher is away, sick, or on leave, taking over their lessons and duties.
The substitute left detailed notes for the regular teacher about what the class had studied.
Yan raised his hand to ask the substitute a question about the maths homework.
Leo decided to work as a substitute while he completed his degree in education.
The children behaved worse for the substitute than for their usual teacher.
Our school had to call in a last-minute substitute when two teachers caught the flu.
- supply teacher
British English term for the same role
- relief teacher
used in Australian and New Zealand English
- sub
informal American English shortening
- regular teacher
the permanent teacher whose place is taken
文法句型
a + substitute + teacher
work as a + substitute
用法筆記
In everyday conversation, 'substitute' alone (without 'teacher') is the common short form: 'We had a substitute today.' In British English, the more common term is 'supply teacher'. Can be shortened to 'sub' in informal American speech.