What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
proxy
Example
The CEO appointed a proxy to attend the shareholders' meeting on his behalf. [proxy: noun]
Example
I use a proxy server to access websites that are blocked in my country. [proxy: adjective]
Example
The toy car served as a proxy for the real car during the experiment. [proxy: noun]
substitute
Example
I am a substitute teacher for the math class today. [substitute: noun]
Example
I substituted butter with oil in the recipe. [substituted: verb]
Example
The injured player was substituted by a new player in the second half. [substituted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Substitute is more commonly used than proxy in everyday language, covering a wide range of contexts such as food, sports, and work. Proxy is less common and is often used in the context of computer networks or legal representation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between proxy and substitute?
Proxy is more formal than substitute, often used in legal or business contexts. Substitute is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
