take a subordinate position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a subordinate position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is expected to assume a lower rank or status in a hierarchy or relationship. Example: "In order to foster collaboration, sometimes it is necessary to take a subordinate position during discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Livingstone was eager to agree, and Labour Mayoral candidate Nicky Gavron volunteered to take a subordinate position as his deputy.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Aged 22, Pitt informed his parliamentary colleagues: "I never would accept a subordinate position".

The Guardian - Books

In 1840, having already expressed liberal views, he was removed to Rome to fill a subordinate position.

Britannica

Prevailing gender norms still accept that women are in a subordinate position with limited possibility to control their own lives.

BMC Women's Health

If you are keeping both of them, you have to decide who will be in a subordinate position.

WikiHow

The main ceremony of the mudor šuan, or mudor "wedding," consisted of taking ashes from the hearth of the ancestral shrine with some appropriate formula such as "I am taking the lesser and leaving the greater" and transferring them to the shrine in a new location, which would then stand in a subordinate position in relation to the greater ancestral kuala.

Britannica

Women are in a subordinate position.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Many of them don't realize they are being kept in a subordinate position, so they don't protest.

The New York Times

"We don't see the beneficiaries of these institutions as somebody in a subordinate position," Dr. Frenk said.

The New York Times

What if an Obama ally like Susan Rice gets a subordinate position to an ally of Mrs Clinton?

The Economist

Men can tolerate a woman in physics as long as she is in a subordinate position, but many cannot tolerate a woman above them".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a subordinate position" when describing the act of consciously accepting a lower rank or level of authority within a hierarchy or relationship. It is often used in professional and social contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "take a subordinate position" if the situation implies forced submission or oppression. The phrase should represent a voluntary or strategic choice, not an involuntary state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a subordinate position" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of assuming a lower or less dominant role within a hierarchy or relationship. This is often done strategically or willingly. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts, showing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a subordinate position" is a versatile verbal phrase used to describe the deliberate act of assuming a lower rank or less dominant role. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees frequent use across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic entries. Its purpose is often strategic, aiming to foster collaboration or achieve specific goals by relinquishing control. While the phrase can be used in many contexts, it is more suited for neutral and professional settings. Related phrases like "accept a secondary role" and "play a supporting role" offer similar meanings, but it's important to consider context to avoid misapplication. Remember, the phrase denotes a voluntary action, not a forced submission.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Accept a secondary role

Focuses on acceptance rather than the act of assuming the position.

Assume a less dominant stance

Emphasizes the attitude and posture adopted.

Defer to a higher authority

Highlights yielding to someone with more power.

Relinquish control to another

Highlights surrendering control.

Yield to someone's lead

Focuses on allowing another to guide or direct.

Play a supporting role

More specific to performance or team settings.

Take a backseat

An idiomatic expression for taking a less active role.

Step down to a lower level

Implies a deliberate demotion or reduction in status.

Be second in command

Focuses on the position of being the second most important person.

Serve in a lower capacity

Highlights the act of serving with less authority or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "take a subordinate position" in a sentence?

You can use "take a subordinate position" to describe situations where someone willingly accepts a lower rank or level of authority. For example, "In negotiations, sometimes it's strategic to "take a subordinate position" to build trust".

What are some alternatives to "take a subordinate position"?

You can use alternatives such as "accept a secondary role", "play a supporting role", or "take a backseat" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "take a subordinate position"?

It is appropriate when describing a voluntary acceptance of a lower rank or level of authority, often for strategic or collaborative reasons. It is less appropriate if the submission is forced or unwanted.

What is the nuance between "take a subordinate position" and "being in a subordinate position"?

"Take a subordinate position" implies a conscious choice to assume that role, while "being in a subordinate position" simply describes a state of having a lower rank, regardless of whether it was chosen or imposed.