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 responsible for manufacturing the product. [subsidiary: noun]
Example
The project had several subsidiary goals that needed to be achieved. [subsidiary: adjective]
offshoot
Example
The new company was an offshoot of the original business. [offshoot: noun]
Example
The idea was an offshoot of a conversation we had last week. [offshoot: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subsidiary is more commonly used in business and finance contexts, while offshoot can be used in a wider range of contexts, including creative and artistic fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subsidiary and offshoot?
Subsidiary is generally considered more formal than offshoot, as it is often used in business and finance contexts.