What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subordinating
Example
The manager was responsible for subordinating the tasks to the team members. [subordinating: verb]
Example
The subordinating clause in the sentence is introduced by the word 'although'. [subordinating: adjective]
Example
The subordinating staff members were not allowed to make any decisions without approval from their superiors. [subordinating: present participle]
subservient
Example
The assistant was always subservient to her boss, never questioning his decisions. [subservient: adjective]
Example
He had a subservient attitude towards his parents, always doing what they asked him to do. [subservient: adjective]
Example
The subservient role of the secretary was to take notes and schedule appointments for the CEO. [subservient: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subordinating is less common than subservient in everyday language. Subordinating is more commonly used in technical or formal contexts, such as grammar and linguistics, while subservient is more commonly used in social and political contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subordinating and subservient?
Subordinating is typically associated with a more formal tone, while subservient is more informal and can have a negative or pejorative connotation.
