What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
affiliate
Example
The local radio station is an affiliate of a national broadcasting network. [affiliate: noun]
Example
She is affiliated with a well-known law firm in the city. [affiliated: verb, past tense]
subsidiary
Example
The car manufacturer has several subsidiaries that produce different parts of their vehicles. [subsidiaries: noun, plural]
Example
The subsidiary company operates under the same brand name as its parent company. [subsidiary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Affiliate is more commonly used than subsidiary in everyday language, especially in the context of business partnerships and endorsements. Subsidiary is a more technical term that is often used in legal and financial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between affiliate and subsidiary?
Both affiliate and subsidiary are formal words that are commonly used in business and legal contexts. However, subsidiary is generally considered to be a more technical term that is used in more specialized contexts.