[Meaning of for] I can substitute Margarine for butter in this recipe.

[Tae-Bbong-E]

Hi
For long time ago, I have been curious of "for" used with "Verb-substitute".
Could you tell me in the below sentence what is usage of "for"? That is my main question.
e.g.) I can substitute Margarine for butter in this recipe.

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PS: To begin with, I thought "for" is "in exchange for".
However, when I looked up the example sentences, especially "exchange A for B", I figured out that I was wrong.
Because the case of "in exchange A for B" means someone gives one thing(A) that he has and obtain another thing that he wants(B).
e.g.) I exchanged dollars for pounds.

So I've realized in this case about "substitute A for B" implies "for" is not the same as "in exchange for B". Even though I use "A", It does not mean I get "B".
Just I use "A" since I have not "B" in hand.

So my thought is that "for" used with "Verb-substitute" means "in place of something". Am I right?

 

[SoothingDave]

Yes, that is what "substitute" means. I don't have butter, so I used margarine instead. One substitutes for another. Note that "margarine" is not a proper noun and is not capitalized.

 

[Tarheel]

Say:

I use.

Not

I uses.

 

[jutfrank]

In the pattern to substitute A for B, the sense is simply that A fills the place occupied by B.

 

[tedmc]

I prefer "substitute A (old) with B (new)", which means "B replaces A", instead of "substitute A (new) for B (old)".

 

[Tae-Bbong-E]

Wow, that is the good way I understand it. Thanks!!!!!!! ;-)
It is a little bit similar to "replace A(old, obsolete) with B(new)"

 

[Tarheel]

Well, A doesn't have to be old or obsolete for you to decide to replace it with B. B might be cheaper or of higher quality or easier to get. In the recipe example, you might not have butter, so you use margarine.

 

[tedmc]

"Old" and "new" are just convenient terms to distinguish the "original" and the "replacement", or the "before" and "after".

 

[tedmc]

Old and new are convenient terms to distinguish between the original and the replacement. Or it could well be the before and after.

 

[Tarheel]

Ron: Can you substitute cookies for bagels?
Don: For dunking in your coffee?
Ron: Yes.
Don: Sure!

 

[Tae-Bbong-E]

Hell to everybody.

Now my main questions were solved, already.
Thanks for your precious time. I sincerely feel grateful to all of you. Have a good night(?) or Have a nice day! (It is already night in Korea. )

 

[Tarheel]

Hell to everybody.

Now my main questions have been answered.
Thanks for your precious time. I sincerely feel grateful to all of you. Have a good night(?) or Have a nice day! (It is already night in Korea. )

It's always night somewhere.

 

[SoothingDave]

Who dunks bagels in coffee?

 

[Tarheel]

Me.

 

[jutfrank]

Who dunks bagels in coffee?

Me.

I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark, Ron, and guess that you're neither Jewish nor Italian.