What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subsidiary
Example
The subsidiary company was acquired by the larger corporation. [subsidiary: adjective]
Example
The subsidiary branch of the organization handles all the administrative tasks. [subsidiary: noun]
auxiliary
Example
The auxiliary generator kicked in when the power went out. [auxiliary: adjective]
Example
The hospital has an auxiliary group of volunteers who assist with patient care. [auxiliary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Auxiliary is more commonly used than subsidiary in everyday language. Auxiliary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while subsidiary is less common and mainly used in business or organizational contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subsidiary and auxiliary?
Both subsidiary and auxiliary can be used in formal and informal contexts, but subsidiary is more commonly associated with business or legal language and may be perceived as more formal than auxiliary.
