is ancillary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is ancillary to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is supplementary or secondary to something else, often in formal or academic contexts. Example: "The research findings are ancillary to the main hypothesis, providing additional insights but not altering the primary conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

In sum, short of forming an unsavoury alliance with the Assad government, the strongest legal basis for action against IS in Syria is ancillary to the campaign now being conducted in Iraq.

BBC

Still, Mr. Powell sometimes seems to resent suggestions that he is ancillary to the peace effort.

The New York Times

But — and perhaps this will work to Ms. Peirce's advantage at the box office — such footage is ancillary to the larger story that unrolls at home.

The New York Times

But even Nabokov admitted that fine writing is ancillary to the mysterious work of enchanting the reader into a state of "curiosity, tenderness, ecstasy".

The Guardian - Books

Putting the museum elsewhere, they say, could send a message that the story of black Americans is ancillary to the central narrative of American history.

The New York Times

But spelling is ancillary to a language's real complexity; English is a relatively simple language, absurdly spelled.Perhaps the "hardest" language studied by many Anglophones is Latin.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Stationery is associated with dull-witted anal retentiveness, being ancillary to more important tasks.

The Guardian - Books

At first, 20-somethings from programs like that were ancillary to the PieLab effort.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the nurses and secretaries may be ancillary to the companies' principal target: the speakers at these events.

The New York Times

"Closing time was 11pm unless you could prove that selling alcohol was ancillary to dancing or serving food," Thomas says.

The Guardian

The confusing issue of sex is kept at a safe distance; romantic considerations are ancillary to the fight against evil, and to the cameraderie of warriors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is ancillary to" to precisely indicate that something provides supplementary support or is of secondary importance, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid presenting elements described as "ancillary to" as if they are central or crucial to the main subject; doing so misrepresents their actual role and significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is ancillary to" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that something provides supplementary support or is of secondary importance. Ludwig examples show it describing elements that are related to a central topic but not essential. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is ancillary to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote that something is supportive, secondary, or of lesser importance to a primary subject. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, the phrase serves to qualify the relevance or significance of an element within a broader context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and useful. Employ it with precision to ensure clarity in indicating supplementary roles, while being mindful not to overstate the importance of what is being described as ancillary. Alternatives include "is secondary to" and "is supplementary to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is secondary to

Specifies a lower level of importance compared to the primary element.

is supplementary to

Highlights the supporting or additional nature of something.

is subordinate to

Indicates a lower rank or position compared to the original phrase.

is complementary to

Suggests a combination that enhances or completes something else.

is supportive of

Indicates providing assistance or encouragement.

is subservient to

Implies a role of obedience or service to something else.

is dependent on

Shows reliance or contingency on something else.

is of minor importance to

Emphasizes the lack of significance.

is not essential to

Stresses the non-critical nature of something.

is less significant than

Highlights the diminished importance relative to something else.

FAQs

How to use "is ancillary to" in a sentence?

Use "is ancillary to" to describe something that provides support or is secondary to a main subject. For example: "The customer support is ancillary to the product's core functionality."

What can I say instead of "is ancillary to"?

You can use alternatives like "is secondary to", "is supplementary to", or "is supportive of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is ancillary to" or "is integral to"?

"Is ancillary to" and "is integral to" have opposite meanings. "Is ancillary to" means something is supplementary or of secondary importance, while "is integral to" means something is essential or fundamental.

What's the difference between "is ancillary to" and "is subordinate to"?

While both suggest a lesser role, "is ancillary to" implies a supporting function, whereas "is subordinate to" indicates a lower rank or position in a hierarchy.