What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surrogate
Example
The surrogate mother gave birth to a healthy baby boy. [surrogate: noun]
Example
The CEO appointed a surrogate to attend the meeting on his behalf. [surrogate: adjective]
substitute
Example
I used almond milk as a substitute for regular milk in the recipe. [substitute: noun]
Example
The coach substituted the injured player with a new one. [substituted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Substitute is more commonly used than surrogate in everyday language. Substitute is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while surrogate is less common and refers to specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between surrogate and substitute?
Both surrogate and substitute can be used in formal and informal contexts, but surrogate may be more formal due to its association with legal and medical terminology.
