subordinate to something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subordinate to something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one thing is lower in rank, importance, or position compared to another. Example: "In the corporate hierarchy, the marketing department is subordinate to the executive team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reason is that what is subordinated to something else cannot be known in an appropriate manner if those things which are above it in the categorial hierarchy and which constitute its essence are not known (fols. 10vb-11ra).

SEP

The superior officer who orders a subordinate to do something morally reprehensible is not in a position to blame the subordinate for carrying out the order, even if civilians are.

SEP

One major reason they fail to mention this aspect of Atlas Shrugged is that the morality of rational self-interest stands opposed to religious ethics, which demands that an individual subordinate himself to something that is supposedly higher than himself.

Huffington Post

"Buildings in paintings have always been treated as a background, as something subordinate to the figures themselves," says art historian Amanda Lillie, co-curator of Building the Picture, a new exhibition at the National Gallery that aims to put the architecture of Renaissance paintings on centre stage.

The Guardian - Arts

When journalists joined him in the events he organised, exploring all sorts of food, the unworthy thought of a luxurious freebie was always subordinate to the expectation that something potentially newsy, and with plenty of arresting quotes, was in the air.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It also implies that Hong Kong is subordinate to Beijing by hoping it will do something beneficial for Hong Kong," he said.

The New York Times

If all efforts to protect the unalienable right to life of a child are subordinated to the Second Amendment, something is backwards.

HuffPost

Everyone learns what it means to be terrorized by technology — something of a paradox in a movie whose characters, story and emotions are fatally subordinate to a tsunami of special effects.

The New York Times

NCOs are subordinate to commissioned officers.

The New York Times

Capital is subordinate to that.

The Guardian

Otherwise we're all subordinate to bureaucrats.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "subordinate to something", ensure the context clearly establishes the hierarchy or relationship being described. For example, "In this company, individual goals are always "subordinate to something": the team's success."

Common error

Avoid using "subordinate to something" in overly casual contexts. While grammatically correct, it implies a formal relationship of dependency or hierarchy. In informal situations, simpler words like 'less important than' might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subordinate to something" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a relationship of lower rank, importance, or dependency. As noted by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "subordinate to something" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that one thing is lower in rank, importance, or position than another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical acceptability. While it's used across various contexts, it appears most frequently in news, media, and formal business settings. Related phrases include "secondary to something" and "inferior to something". When using this phrase, it's important to be mindful of the level of formality required by the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary to something

Replaces "subordinate" with "secondary", focusing on importance rather than direct hierarchy.

inferior to something

Emphasizes a lower quality or status compared to something else.

subject to something

Indicates being under the control or influence of something else.

dependent on something

Highlights reliance on something else for support or existence.

ancillary to something

Focuses on being supplementary or providing support to something more important.

tributary to something

Implies flowing or contributing to a larger entity or system.

lesser than something

Directly states a smaller size, amount, or significance.

subservient to something

Emphasizes obedience and willingness to serve something else.

lower in rank than something

Specifically refers to hierarchical position.

governed by something

Highlights the control or influence of an external force or set of rules.

FAQs

How can I use "subordinate to something" in a sentence?

Use "subordinate to something" to indicate that one thing is of lower rank or importance than another. For example, 'In military operations, field decisions are subordinate to the overall strategic goals'.

What is an alternative to "subordinate to something"?

Alternatives include "secondary to something", "inferior to something", or "dependent on something" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "subordinate to" or "subordinate under"?

"Subordinate to" is the correct and more commonly used preposition. "Subordinate under" is redundant because "subordinate" already implies a hierarchical relationship.

In what contexts is "subordinate to something" most often used?

The phrase is frequently found in contexts involving hierarchical structures such as military, corporate, or governmental organizations, as well as in academic or philosophical discussions where concepts are being ranked in terms of importance or dependence. It can be used to describe that "governed by something".