subsidiary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subsidiary to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is less important or secondary to something else. Example: The main goal of this project is to increase sales, with improving customer satisfaction being subsidiary to that objective.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's always subsidiary to the form".

The New York Times - Arts

SAS is also working with Teradata and EMC's Greenplum subsidiary to offer faster-working analytics software.

The New York Times

It was the first big global bank subsidiary to plead guilty in more than two decades.

The New York Times

"My view is that even the California Constitution is subsidiary to federal bankruptcy law".

The New York Times

The Miami group wants it to be subsidiary to the WTO.

The Economist

The role has traditionally been politically neutral and subsidiary to the country's parliament.

Independent

The first step was to create, in 1997, an unregulated subsidiary to trade electric power.

The Economist

Seals are necessary for ChinaCast's Chinese subsidiary to undertake any business in China.

The New York Times

The bank then merged the business with another subsidiary to form the HSBC Finance Corporation.

The New York Times

Where they are subsidiary to wider objectives they should be removed".

The Guardian

Google is selling the Motorola subsidiary to China's Lenovo in the coming months.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subsidiary to" to clearly indicate that one element is secondary or less important than another. This helps clarify priorities and relationships within a sentence or argument.

Common error

Avoid using "subsidiary to" when both elements are of equal importance. This can create confusion and misrepresent the intended relationship between the elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subsidiary to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating that something is of secondary importance or subordinate status. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase correctly conveys that one thing is less significant than another. For example, 'decoration is not emphasized. It's always "subsidiary to" the form'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "subsidiary to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that one element is secondary or less important than another. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While "subsidiary to" effectively conveys relative importance, it's crucial to avoid its use when elements are of equal significance. Alternative phrases, such as ""subordinate to"" or ""secondary to"", can be used depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of "subsidiary to" for effective and accurate writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subordinate to

Indicates a lower rank or position in a hierarchy.

secondary to

Highlights the lesser importance or priority of something.

less important than

Directly states the reduced significance of one thing compared to another.

dependent on

Emphasizes the reliance of one thing on another for its existence or function.

ancillary to

Suggests something provides support or assistance but is not central.

tributary to

Implies a contribution to a larger entity, often in a subordinate role.

subject to

Indicates being under the authority or control of something else.

contingent on

Highlights that something is conditional upon another factor.

inferior to

Conveys a lower quality or status compared to something else.

in service to

Implies that something exists to support or assist another entity.

FAQs

How can I use "subsidiary to" in a sentence?

Use "subsidiary to" to show that something is less important or dependent on something else. For example, "In this company, marketing is "subsidiary to" product development".

What phrases can I use instead of "subsidiary to"?

Alternatives include "subordinate to", "secondary to", or "less important than" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "subsidiary of" instead of "subsidiary to"?

While "subsidiary of" indicates ownership or affiliation, "subsidiary to" implies a hierarchical relationship or lesser importance. They have different meanings and aren't interchangeable.

What's the difference between "subsidiary to" and "dependent on"?

"Subsidiary to" suggests a hierarchical or priority-based relationship, whereas "dependent on" indicates reliance or necessity. One focuses on importance, the other on reliance.