be subordinated to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be subordinated to' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express that something is under the authority of something else. For example: The small business must be subordinated to the larger corporation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Everything else would be subordinated to achieving this objective.

The Guardian - Opinion

Economic policy must be subordinated to the exchange-rate target.

The Economist

A civil global order would require that private reason be subordinated to public reason that national judgment be subordinated to international law.

The Economist

Government policy should not be subordinated to extremist demands or a minority of terrorists.

The Guardian - Opinion

The greater international good will never be subordinated to the mood of the passing moment".

The New York Times

The first is that other economic goals need to be subordinated to the exchange rate.

The Economist

It should, in any event, he said, be subordinated to ensuring fair trials for the defendants.

The New York Times

Other economic priorities have to be subordinated to the currency target.

The Economist

"We did not want to be subordinated to anyone else," he said.

The New York Times

Massey's corrupt behavior is a searing example of how federal regulation should never be subordinated to market forces.

The New York Times

These commercial considerations must be subordinated to the urgent need to curb Iraq's illegal biological and chemical weapons programs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be subordinated to", consider the nuance: It implies a deliberate choice or systemic structure, not merely a temporary situation. Do not use it for fleeting or accidental instances of lower importance.

Common error

Avoid using "be subordinated to" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "less important than" or "secondary to" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be subordinated to" functions as a passive voice construction used to indicate that something is placed in a lower rank or position relative to something else. As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates a hierarchical relationship where one element is under the authority or control of another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be subordinated to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates a hierarchical relationship or prioritization. As Ludwig AI points out, it implies that one entity is under the authority or control of another. It is most commonly found in formal contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias, where it serves to express dependency, priority, or control. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context is formal and that you're clearly indicating a deliberate ranking or structured relationship. For less formal situations, consider alternatives such as "be secondary to" or "be dependent on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be secondary to

Emphasizes a lower level of importance or priority.

be subject to

Highlights that something is under the control or influence of something else.

be dependent on

Focuses on the reliance of one thing on another.

be answerable to

Indicates responsibility and accountability to a higher authority.

be subservient to

Suggests a more compliant or obedient relationship.

be inferior to

Directly states a lower quality or status.

be lower than

Implies a position in a hierarchy or scale below another.

be conditional on

Highlights that something is contingent upon another factor.

be governed by

Emphasizes control and regulation by something else.

be dictated by

Focuses on the imposition of something by a dominating factor.

FAQs

How can I use "be subordinated to" in a sentence?

Use "be subordinated to" to indicate that one thing is less important or has less authority than another. For example: "In this company, individual ambitions must "be subordinated to" the overall team goals".

What's a simpler way to say "be subordinated to"?

Alternatives include "be secondary to", "be subject to", or "be dependent on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "be subordinated to" or "be subordinate to"?

"Be subordinate to" describes the state of being lower in rank or importance, while "be subordinated to" describes the action of something being placed in a lower position. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What does "be subordinated to" imply?

It implies a deliberate ranking or prioritization, where one thing is intentionally made less important or given less authority than another. It often suggests a formal or structured relationship.