fall subject to

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall subject to" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It can be used in situations where something is being subjected to or influenced by something else. For example, "Living in a big city can make it easy to fall subject to materialistic values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

European regulators are inclined to let regulatory capital fall (subject to the discretion of national authorities).

The Economist

In the other direction, people often over-react to bad news and fall subject to the "tyranny of the anecdote".

The Guardian

Instrumentalism of this sort is often criticized in the literature on technology and society, and thus engineers tend to fall subject to that criticism.

Technology in Society

Unlike traditional broadcast radio, Internet radio is not regulated by the F.C.C. or likely to fall subject to the restrictions of corporate parents like Clear Channel.

The New York Times - Arts

Numbers diminish as you trace your finger south and east on a distribution map as the eagle flies; away from their craggy fastnesses on Scotland's west coast the eagles fall, subject to traps, snares, poison or the gun, most notably around the intensively managed grouse moorlands of the central and eastern Highlands.

Independent

Companies like Facebook and Google have also been dancing around the authorities with regards to how their sites fall subject to the rules.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The provision is in a broader tax relief bill intended to prevent some 21 million American households from falling subject to the alternative minimum tax this year.

The New York Times

The shift atop Goldman will not prevent Goldman employees in France and Britain from falling subject to a one-time windfall tax in those countries.

The New York Times

Citing Internal Revenue Service data, a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities notes that in the three states where the issue is most alive, a relatively small number of estates fell subject to it in 1999 when it applied to estates of $650,000 or more: 149 estates in South Dakota, 1,090 in Missouri and 636 in Minnesota.

The New York Times

Mr Trump's imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports has sparked anger, with even US allies falling subject to them.

BBC

This is a tricky one to call, but it does seem that traditional email marketing as a way of effectively reaching customers and prospects is falling subject to more and more pressure every day (migration to mobile; intelligent inboxes; Google's "promotions" tab; improving spam filters).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall subject to" when you want to express that something becomes controlled by or under the influence of something else, often implying a negative consequence. Be precise in identifying both the entity that is falling subject and the force exerting influence.

Common error

Avoid using "fall subject to" in highly formal writing where more precise or sophisticated language is preferred. Consider alternatives like "become susceptible to" or "be exposed to" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall subject to" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process of becoming controlled or influenced by something else. Ludwig examples show it used to describe entities becoming vulnerable to various external forces or conditions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fall subject to" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to express that something is becoming controlled by or under the influence of something else. According to Ludwig, it's most frequently used in news and media contexts. When writing, consider the nuance you wish to convey – the phrase often implies a negative consequence or loss of autonomy. For more formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "become susceptible to" or "be exposed to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become susceptible to

Replaces "fall" with "become", emphasizing a gradual shift to a vulnerable state.

be exposed to

Focuses on the state of being open to influence or risk, rather than the act of succumbing.

become vulnerable to

Highlights the weakness or lack of protection that leads to being affected by something.

be at risk of

Emphasizes the potential danger or negative outcome associated with the situation.

be liable to

Indicates a legal or probable likelihood of experiencing something, often negative.

be prone to

Suggests a natural inclination or tendency to experience something.

be open to

Implies a willingness or lack of resistance to something, whether positive or negative.

succumb to

Focuses on the act of yielding or giving in to something, often with negative connotations.

be affected by

Indicates a direct influence or impact from something, without necessarily implying vulnerability.

be under the influence of

Suggests a controlling or dominating effect from something, altering behavior or perception.

FAQs

How can I use "fall subject to" in a sentence?

Use "fall subject to" to indicate that something is becoming vulnerable or controlled by something else. For example, "Without proper security, your data can "fall subject to" cyber attacks."

What are some alternatives to "fall subject to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "become vulnerable to", "be exposed to", or "be at risk of" as alternatives to "fall subject to".

Is it better to say "fall subject to" or "become subject to"?

"Fall subject to" implies a process of declining or succumbing, while "become subject to" simply indicates a change in state. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "fall subject to" something?

To "fall subject to" something means to come under its influence or control, often negatively. It suggests a loss of autonomy or resistance.