subject to how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subject to how" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is conditional upon a specific manner or method, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "The project's success is subject to how well the team collaborates."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Or then again, maybe I'll change the subject to how much I like "The Sopranos".

The New York Times

For example, mandatory minimums "provide the only certainty that is not subject to how persuasive of a sympathy story the defendant can muster at sentencing".

The Economist

The recommendation was subject to how IAG was going to address the interests of relevant parties, including its main shareholders, the budget airline Ryanair, and the Irish state.

The Guardian - Business

So subject to how well I feel, I'll renegotiate the deal By adding one more point worth mention: Another 12-year life extension.

The New York Times

He sounds like he's just glad to have been brought along for the ride; changes the subject to how two decades have flown by: "When you get older, a summer is bomb-ding bomb-dang.

The Guardian

Journalists are invited to the Oval Office to ask about infrastructure; he turns the subject to how Bill O'Reilly, late of Fox News, is a "good person," blameless, like him, in matters of sexual harassment.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But still there is this push and pull, from the subject matter to how it's depicted.

Vice

The challenge to the parents — passed on to the pediatrician — is how diligently these pains should be investigated, how many tests a child should be subjected to, how much money should be spent.

The New York Times - Health

Try comparing different author's approaches to the same subject to see how they are alike and how they differ.

WikiHow

"It is a fascinating subject to investigate how changes on the molecular level during evolution led to the shaping of this part of the gut," says Dr Hejnol.

BBC

However, the prospective student would do well to look a little deeper into the subject to see how to shop smartly for her/his educational choice.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "subject to how", ensure the context clearly indicates a conditional relationship. Rephrase if ambiguity arises.

Common error

Overuse of "subject to how" can lead to convoluted sentences. Opt for clearer alternatives like "dependent on how" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subject to how" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It establishes a condition or dependency, indicating that the outcome or state is reliant on the manner in which something occurs. Ludwig examples illustrate this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "subject to how" expresses conditionality or dependence, indicating that an outcome relies on a specific process or method. While grammatically acceptable, it may sometimes benefit from rephrasing for improved clarity, as suggested by Ludwig AI. The phrase sees use across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, but is more common in settings requiring precise expression of dependencies. Consider alternatives like "dependent on how" for enhanced readability. The sources indicate acceptable though not widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dependent on how

Emphasizes reliance or contingency on a specific process or condition.

contingent upon how

Highlights that the outcome is determined by the manner in which something unfolds.

depending on the way

Focuses on the method or approach influencing the result.

conditional on how

Stresses the prerequisite nature of the specific process.

predicated on how

Implies a foundational reliance on the manner of execution.

governed by how

Indicates that the outcome is controlled by a specific process.

relative to how

Shows that something is compared to a process.

based on the manner in which

Specifies that something is derived from a particular approach.

determined by the fashion in which

Highlights how something is styled.

hinges on how

Indicates that the outcome is fully dependent on how.

FAQs

What does "subject to how" mean?

The phrase "subject to how" indicates that something is conditional or dependent on the manner in which something else occurs or is done. It implies that the outcome is influenced by the process.

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

You can use "subject to how" to show that a result depends on a specific condition. For example, "The project's success is subject to how well the team collaborates."

What are some alternatives to "subject to how"?

Alternatives include "dependent on how", "contingent upon how", or "depending on the way". Choose the one that best fits the context.

Is "subject to how" grammatically correct?

While "subject to how" isn't always the most elegant phrasing, it is generally acceptable. However, consider alternatives like "dependent on how" for improved clarity. As Ludwig AI suggests, rephrasing might enhance understandability.