auxiliary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "auxiliary" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that provides additional support or assistance, often in a grammatical context referring to auxiliary verbs. Example: "In the sentence 'She is running,' the word 'is' serves as an auxiliary verb to indicate the present continuous tense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government of the UK must cease to vitiate the civil liberties of its people, it must cease to use its territory and its transport facilities as an auxiliary to American military misbehaviour.

The Guardian - Tech

I think the cuts in auxiliary services are really hitting our patients – they need stimulation and their carers need a break.

The Guardian

Only last week, one of Ireland's leading canon lawyers, Monsignor Maurice Dooley, insisted on RTE radio that priests do not have to report child abuse: "Priests are not auxiliary policemen… they do not have an obligation to go down to the police".

The Guardian

Teresa Romero, the Spanish nursing auxiliary who earlier this month became the first person to contract Ebola in Europe, is making "giant steps" towards recovery, according to hospital sources in Madrid.

The Guardian

Cuts in auxiliary services are really hitting our patients – they need stimulation and their carers need a break There used to be six day centres in the city but now there are only two.

The Guardian

Rather than be seen as part of the problem, geothermal needs to present itself as a cheaper, cleaner, more reliable and efficient form of auxiliary power that can provide utilities with the flexibility they urgently seek.

The Economist

By 2020 such jobs will account for a staggering one in seven American workers and that does not include auxiliary firms, such as health-information-technology companies or health consultancies.Given these predictions, two phenomena naturally follow.

The Economist

An auxiliary show for startups took place about 3km away.

The Economist

But since there were so few police, and NATO's soldiers were tied up protecting two road projects, the Taliban soon reoccupied much of the ground.There are big dangers in building up the "auxiliary" force.

The Economist

One piece of intelligence even suggests that Mullah Omar himself, the one-eyed leader of the Taliban, is deeply alarmed by the rapid expansion of the Afghan Local Police (ALP), an auxiliary patrol force supervised by American Special Forces.

The Economist

They could produce infinitely variable auxiliary sounds, or vroomtones.Like ringtones for phones, vroomtones could be offered by third parties.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "auxiliary", ensure it clearly indicates a supporting or supplementary role, distinguishing it from core or primary elements.

Common error

Avoid using "auxiliary" when the intended meaning is central or essential, as this diminishes the importance of the element being described.

Linguistic Context

The word "auxiliary" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something that provides additional help or support, as shown in many examples provided by Ludwig. It can also act as a noun, referring to a person or group that provides such help.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "auxiliary" is a versatile word used to describe something that provides support or assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as an adjective or noun across various domains. It is deemed grammatically correct and sees frequent use in news, science, and business contexts. Understanding its nuances and alternatives, such as "supplementary" or "supporting", ensures its appropriate application in writing. Avoiding its misuse by ensuring that "auxiliary" is not applied to something essential maintains clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplementary

Indicates something that is added to enhance or complete something else.

supporting

Focuses on the act of providing assistance or backing to something.

subsidiary

Suggests a subordinate or secondary role, often in a business context.

ancillary

Emphasizes that something is additional and subordinate.

accessory

Implies something that is non-essential but adds to the convenience or effectiveness of something else.

helping

Directly indicates the provision of assistance.

assisting

Similar to 'helping' but slightly more formal.

backup

Suggests a resource available in case of failure or need.

reserve

Indicates something kept aside for future use or emergencies.

secondary

Implies a lower level of importance or priority.

FAQs

How is "auxiliary" typically used in a sentence?

The word "auxiliary" is used to describe something that provides support or assistance. For example, "auxiliary services" support the main functions of an organization.

What are some alternatives to using "auxiliary"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "supplementary", "supporting", or "ancillary".

Is "auxiliary" more formal or informal?

The term "auxiliary" tends to be more formal and is commonly used in professional, academic, and news contexts, rather than in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "auxiliary" and "accessory"?

"Auxiliary" implies a supporting or helping function, while "accessory" refers to something that enhances or complements something else, often in a non-essential way.