cannot be subordinated to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be subordinated to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something cannot be placed in a lower or secondary position in relation to something else. Example: "In this debate, individual rights cannot be subordinated to the demands of the majority."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And that Pasternak remained true to his conviction, communicated to his English relatives in 1948, that he had written a book of "enormous, universal importance, whose destiny cannot be subordinated to my own destiny, or to any question of my well-being".

Huffington Post

Human rights and environmental protection cannot be subordinated to narrow business interests" said the author of the ruling, federal judge Souza Prudente.

The Guardian

But the command of Congress against discrimination cannot be subordinated to the command of a track owner that a railroad using the track practice discrimination.

Cornell University

It cannot be subordinated to ethics.

SEP

What matters here is the hierarchy of values observance of mitzvoth cannot be subordinated to ethical values.

SEP

It is in virtue of their individuality that human beings have obligations to the social order, but it is in virtue of their personality that they cannot be subordinated to that order.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We cannot exclude that GCNF is implicated in loss of differentiation in cancer cell and may be subordinated to cancer signalling pathways other than retinoic acid (RA).

BioMed Research International

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

The Economist

Everything else would be subordinated to achieving this objective.

The Guardian - Opinion

Everything must be subordinated to that.

Los Angeles Times

Thus, the bond will typically include terms that prohibit the granting of new liens, which limits the creation of more senior debt, and also clauses that make clear that the bonds cannot be subordinated, or pushed down in the ranks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be subordinated to", ensure the context clearly defines the values or principles being prioritized. This adds clarity and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be subordinated to" when the relationship between the two elements is not hierarchical or when there is no logical reason for one to be considered more important than the other. Ensure a genuine conflict of priority exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be subordinated to" functions as a predicate, expressing a prohibition against prioritizing one entity or concept below another. This usage is consistent with the examples found by Ludwig, indicating its role in asserting the non-negotiable importance of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be subordinated to" serves as a powerful assertion of priority, emphasizing that one thing should never be considered less important than another. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and most frequently used in scientific, news, and academic contexts. It's crucial to use this phrase when establishing a clear hierarchy of values or principles and to ensure the context supports the strong stance it conveys. As Ludwig AI highlights, individual rights, ethics, and deeply held beliefs are common subjects when employing this emphatic declaration of precedence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be secondary to

Emphasizes a lack of importance or priority.

cannot be made subservient to

Highlights a power dynamic and resistance to being controlled.

must take precedence over

Indicates a higher priority or importance.

cannot be of lesser importance than

Focuses on the comparative significance.

cannot be made inferior to

Stresses the preservation of equal or superior status.

cannot be considered below

Highlights a ranking or ordering where something should not be lower.

cannot be overridden by

Focuses on the inability of something to take control or negate something else.

cannot be superseded by

Emphasizes that something cannot be replaced or set aside.

cannot be subjected to

Highlights the inability to impose a certain condition or status.

must maintain priority over

Emphasizes the need to consistently give preference to something.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be subordinated to" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be subordinated to" to express that something should not be considered less important than something else. For example, "Individual rights "cannot be subordinated to" the needs of the state".

What phrases are similar to "cannot be subordinated to"?

Alternatives include "cannot be secondary to", "must take precedence over", or "cannot be made inferior to", all of which emphasize a higher level of importance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cannot be subordinated to"?

Yes, "cannot be subordinated to" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a passive construction with a modal verb.

When should I use "cannot be subordinated to" versus other similar phrases?

Use "cannot be subordinated to" when you want to clearly state that one thing should not be made less important than another. Other phrases may imply a stronger or weaker sense of priority, so choose the one that best fits the specific context.