# What do you understand "I substituted x for y" to mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 25, 2019, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-understand-i-substituted-x-for-y-to-mean/828365 "2019-01-25T03:35:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2019, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-understand-i-substituted-x-for-y-to-mean/828365/21 "2019-01-26T10:33:55Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > I too have heard this more ambiguous, less correct way of phrasing it. I suspect this is done by the same folks who say “do you want to come with?” That’s a vestige of German immigration, to places like Wisconsin and Texas Hill Country. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2019, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-understand-i-substituted-x-for-y-to-mean/828365/22 "2019-01-26T13:17:52Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > I too thought it was ESL substrate interference, but the [wise clerks of Oxenford say](https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/substitute) the controversial construction has been in use since the late 17th century. And if anyone takes issue with those wise clerks, I’ll come at 'em with my blunderbuss. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-understand-i-substituted-x-for-y-to-mean/828365/23 "2019-01-26T17:00:51Z")
> [@BobBitchin](#): > > IMO you have it right. > > I think the 2 people you mention are part of a new movement. They use whatever word comes to mind and then hand wave “everybody knows what I mean”. > > I think most people became aware of the movement from people ranting about “literally” and “could care less”, but lately other words and phrases are falling to it.:smack:😃 I totally agree. And if anyone disagrees I’ll verse them in a wrestling match. mmm ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-understand-i-substituted-x-for-y-to-mean/828365/24 "2019-01-26T19:02:08Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > I too thought it was ESL substrate interference, but the [wise clerks of Oxenford say](https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/substitute) the controversial construction has been in use since the late 17th century. But the example given is substitute X **with** Y, not subtitute x **for** Y. I think most of us are fine with “substitute X for Y” and “substitute Y with X” meaning the same thing. The object of the verb and preposition swap places, but the preposition itself that is used is different. I don’t think the usage note is saying “substitute X for Y” and “substitute Y for X” can mean the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-understand-i-substituted-x-for-y-to-mean/828365/25 "2019-01-27T06:05:25Z")
> [@Smudge777](#): > > “Substitute x with y” to get y instead of x (although I find this awkward-sounding, and personally would use “replace x with y”). That’s exactly what I do when editing Italian-to-English translations by others. Replace with “replace.” ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-understand-i-substituted-x-for-y-to-mean/828365/26 "2019-01-27T06:11:22Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > But the example given is substitute X **with** Y, not subtitute x **for** Y. I think most of us are fine with “substitute X for Y” and “substitute Y with X” meaning the same thing. The object of the verb and preposition swap places, but the preposition itself that is used is different. I don’t think the usage note is saying “substitute X for Y” and “substitute Y for X” can mean the same thing. Maybe, though, that’s where the confusion started and it proceeded to get worse from there. > [@RTFirefly](#): > > And if anyone takes issue with those wise clerks, I’ll come at 'em with my blunderbuss. 😉 Delighted how neatly you hit my serve, old friend. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-understand-i-substituted-x-for-y-to-mean/828365.md?page=1)