Phrasal verb
fill in for
Definition
phrasal verb. to do someone else's work for a short time because they are away or sick.
phrasal verb. to act as a temporary substitute for someone; typically used in professional or social contexts to denote a short-term replacement.
Examples
“Can you fill in for me while I'm at the doctor?”
“The assistant manager had to fill in for the director during her three-week maternity leave.”
“Despite having little experience in logistics, Sarah was asked to fill in for the department head during the emergency summit.”
Examples
simple
“Can you fill in for me while I'm at the doctor?”
contextual
“The assistant manager had to fill in for the director during her three-week maternity leave.”
complex
“Despite having little experience in logistics, Sarah was asked to fill in for the department head during the emergency summit.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fill in for” in context.
Verb
01. agree to fill in for a colleague
“Sarah kindly agreed to fill in for a colleague who was stuck in traffic.”
verb + infinitive
02. ask someone to fill in for them
“When Mark got sick, he had to ask someone to fill in for him at the reception desk.”
verb + noun + infinitive
03. refuse to fill in for a coworker
“He refused to fill in for a coworker because he already had too much work to do.”
verb + infinitive
04. regularly fill in for the manager
“The assistant manager regularly fills in for the manager during the summer holidays.”
adv + verb
Adverb
05. happily fill in for a friend
“I will happily fill in for a friend if they need to leave work early for an emergency.”
adv + verb
06. temporarily fill in for the teacher
“A substitute was hired to temporarily fill in for the teacher on maternity leave.”
adv + verb
Usage
usually followed by a person; implies the substitution is temporary.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'stand in for' (very similar) and 'replace' (which often implies a permanent change); 'fill in' without 'for' can also mean to complete a form.
Pitfall
I will fill in for his job.
I will fill in for him.
you fill in for a person, not for a task or a position; you 'fill' a position but 'fill in for' a colleague.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in for
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
fill + in + for + object
Synonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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