Often it was enough to merely substitute one name for another, but any detailed report of events demanded care and imagination.
Other critics have denounced methadone treatment as merely substituting one addictive drug for another.
Domestic oil producers could not shift the tax forward as a higher oil selling price because the purchaser would merely substitute imported or tax-exempt crude.
When donors discover that their contributions merely substitute for withdrawn public funds, they stop giving.
In many ways, Carter's suggestions are more radical than unionizing and paying college athletes, which would merely substitute the pro for the amateur model.
Or is Captain Remy merely substituting for a ghost?
Rather than removing carcinogens, Mr. Ierardi's lawyers say, the miracle filter merely substituted one poison for another.
"They merely substituted the number thirteen on the wall of the elevator shaft and the indicator dial for the fourteen which is really there."
Mr. Dunkel has argued that such high tariffs will merely substitute one form of protection for another.
Merely substituting donations for access to lending facilities would be ineffective.