ESL Blogs

Yes, 'tip' means 'advice'. From now on, I'll try to give you some tips on English usage - every week or every month or whenever I feel like giving such a tip. 

The tips aren't really blog challenges, though you can write a blog on any tip I give you - sure, I'll try to correct you If you write such a blog. 

I hope you'll agree it's a good idea for me to give you such a tip often. You could also consult a dictionary or a native English teacher if you're not sure about any tip. 

The first tip I'll give you is: don't confuse 'replace' with 'substitute'. 

The verb 'replace' means 'to put someone or something in the place of someone or something else', for example, "We should replace the broken TV set with a new one."

However, the verb 'substitute' means 'to use someone or something instead of another person or thing', for example, "You could substitute a smartphone for the laptop."

By the way, 'in place of someone/something' or 'in someone's/something's place' means 'instead of someone/something', for instance, "They'll eat chicken in place of fish."