取而代之的是
Drop 取而代之的是 at the start of a clause when you want to say 'what's replacing it is…' — the old thing is gone, here's the new thing. It's the formal way to introduce a substitute or successor: stiff acting is gone, 取而代之的是 fluid, natural movement. Always pairs with a prior context that established what's being replaced. Heavy news and editorial register; in conversation, people say 而是 or 反而 instead.
Structure
[OLD THING is gone / no longer there]. 取而代之的是 [NEW THING].
qǔ ér dài zhī de shì...
How to Think About It
Read it character by character: 取 'take,' 而 'and,' 代之 'replace it,' 的是 'what... is.' Together: 'what takes its place is...' The whole phrase functions as a noun-clause opener — everything after 的是 names the replacement. Because the construction names a replacement, the listener has to already know what's being replaced; pulling this out cold leaves them guessing. Always pre-load the missing or obsolete item in the previous sentence.
Examples
旧的工厂被拆除了。取而代之的是一座现代化的公园。
Jiù de gōngchǎng bèi chāichú le. Qǔ ér dài zhī de shì yī zuò xiàndàihuà de gōngyuán.
The old factory was demolished. In its place is a modern park.
他不再焦虑了。取而代之的是一种平静的自信。
Tā bù zài jiāolǜ le. Qǔ ér dài zhī de shì yī zhǒng píngjìng de zìxìn.
He's no longer anxious. What's replaced that is a calm self-assurance.
传统的纸质书正在消失。取而代之的是各种电子阅读设备。
Chuántǒng de zhǐzhì shū zhèngzài xiāoshī. Qǔ ér dài zhī de shì gè zhǒng diànzǐ yuèdú shèbèi.
Traditional paper books are disappearing. Taking their place are various e-reading devices.
Common Mistake
Learners drop the 的是 and write just 取而代之, which works as a verb phrase but cannot serve as a clause opener with a noun-replacement following. The 的是 is what nominalizes the construction so a new noun can follow.
取而代之自然的动作。
取而代之的是自然的动作。
Don't Confuse With
而是
Sits inside a 不是……而是…… contrast ('not A but B'). 取而代之的是 introduces a replacement in a new clause after the old thing has been described as gone.
代替
A plain verb meaning 'to replace' (B 代替 A). 取而代之的是 specifically opens a new clause to name what came in as the substitute.
相反
Marks an opposite ('on the contrary'). 取而代之的是 isn't about contradiction — it's about one thing literally taking another's place.
Practice
老规定被取消了。____是一套更灵活的方案。
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取而代之的
取而代之____是一种全新的设计。
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的
Arrange: 是 / 取而代之 / 的 / 新版本 / 一个 / 更快的
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取而代之的是一个更快的新版本。
Translate: The noise is gone. In its place is complete silence.
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噪音消失了。取而代之的是一片寂静。
Write two sentences: first state something that disappeared, then use 取而代之的是 to name what replaced it.
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传统的电话亭已经看不到了。取而代之的是几乎人人手里的智能手机。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
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