What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
citizen
Example
She became a citizen of the United States after living there for five years. [citizen: noun]
Example
As citizens, we have the right to vote and participate in the democratic process. [citizens: plural noun]
subject
Example
The king's subjects were expected to follow his orders without question. [subject: noun]
Example
In this experiment, the researcher observed the behavior of human subjects. [subjects: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Citizen is more commonly used than subject in everyday language and legal contexts. Citizen is a widely understood term that is frequently used when discussing nationality, rights, and responsibilities. On the other hand, subject is less common and tends to be used in historical or governmental contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between citizen and subject?
While citizen is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, subject is more commonly used in formal or academic settings. Subject has a slightly more formal tone due to its association with historical or governmental contexts.
