What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subaltern
Example
The subaltern was responsible for leading the platoon during the mission. [subaltern: noun]
Example
The subaltern voices of the community were finally heard after years of being ignored. [subaltern: adjective]
subordinate
Example
The manager delegated tasks to his subordinate employees. [subordinate: adjective]
Example
She was promoted to a higher position and now has several subordinates reporting to her. [subordinates: noun]
Example
The subordinate clause provides additional information about the main clause. [subordinate: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subordinate is more commonly used than subaltern in everyday language. Subordinate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while subaltern is less common and often used in academic or specialized fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subaltern and subordinate?
Both subaltern and subordinate can be used in formal or informal contexts, but subordinate is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
