replace

replace — verb

1. to arrange for a different person or item to fill a position that someone or som

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to arrange for a different person or item to fill a position that someone or something else previously occupied, often because the fresh choice is an improvement

例句

The school decided to replace printed textbooks with digital tablets.

replace + noun + with + noun (active pattern)

Liang will replace Noa as team captain next season.

replace + noun + as + role

同義詞
  • substitute

    more general; can be temporary or one-time, while 'replace' often implies a permanent change

  • supersede

    more formal; suggests the new thing is officially considered better or more advanced

  • take over from

    informal phrasal verb; common when talking about jobs or duties

反義詞
  • keep

    to continue using or having the same person or thing

  • retain

    more formal than 'keep'; to hold onto someone or something

文法句型

replace + noun + with + noun

replace + noun + by + noun (passive)

用法筆記

Common in both active voice ('replace X with Y') and passive voice ('X is replaced by Y'). The active form focuses on the person making the change; the passive focuses on the thing being removed.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher substituted John with Mary.
✅The teacher replaced John with Mary.
💡'substitute A for B' means A takes B's place, so the prepositions differ: substitute A for B ≠ replace A with B.
❌I replaced my old phone for a new model.
✅I replaced my old phone with a new model.
💡after 'replace', the new item follows 'with', not 'for'.

2. to get or give a fresh version of something because the original item is too wor

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to get or give a fresh version of something because the original item is too worn out or damaged to work properly

例句

The insurance company agreed to replace Hassan's stolen laptop.

replace + stolen/lost item (insurance context)

Ada needs to replace her running shoes because the soles are worn out.

同義詞
  • exchange

    often involves giving the old item back; more common in shops and returns

  • swap

    informal; often between two people giving each other items

  • renew

    suggests making something new again, often for subscriptions or licenses

反義詞
  • repair

    to fix something rather than get a new one

  • keep

    to continue using the old item instead of replacing it

文法句型

replace + noun (object is old, broken, lost, or damaged)

用法筆記

The object is typically a physical item that was old, broken, lost, or no longer working. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not normally use 'with' or 'by' unless the new item is explicitly named.

常見錯誤

❌I need to change my phone because it is old.
✅I need to replace my phone because it is old.
💡'Change' means to make different; 'replace' means to get a new one.

3. to return an object to the exact spot or container it came from

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to return an object to the exact spot or container it came from

例句

After checking the index, Élise replaced the dictionary on the library shelf.

replace + noun + on + location

Please replace the milk in the refrigerator after you finish using it.

replacement in kitchen context

同義詞
  • return

    more general and common; can mean giving back or putting back

  • put back

    the everyday informal equivalent; much more frequent in spoken English

  • restore

    more formal; can mean returning something to a former state or position

反義詞
  • remove

    to take something away from its position

  • take

    to pick something up and move it away

文法句型

replace + noun + in/on/into + noun (location)

用法筆記

Less common than senses 1 and 2, and sounds more formal or literary in English. In everyday speech, 'put back' is much more frequent for this meaning.