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: adjective]
Example
The report contained a subsidiary section with additional information. [subsidiary: noun]
supplementary
Example
The textbook came with a supplementary CD containing additional exercises. [supplementary: adjective]
Example
The teacher provided supplementary materials to help the students understand the topic better. [supplementary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Supplementary is more commonly used than subsidiary in everyday language, especially in educational and academic contexts. Subsidiary is more specialized and is mainly used in business and finance contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subsidiary and supplementary?
Both subsidiary and supplementary are relatively formal words, but subsidiary may be considered more formal due to its association with business and finance terminology.
