What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
supplemental
Example
The company provided supplemental training materials to help employees improve their skills. [supplemental: adjective]
Example
The teacher gave the students a supplemental reading list to expand their knowledge on the topic. [supplemental: adjective]
auxiliary
Example
The generator served as an auxiliary power source during the power outage. [auxiliary: adjective]
Example
The nurse acted as an auxiliary to the doctor during the surgery. [auxiliary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Auxiliary is more commonly used than supplemental in everyday language. Auxiliary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while supplemental is less common and often used in specific educational or business contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between supplemental and auxiliary?
Both supplemental and auxiliary can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, supplemental may be perceived as more formal due to its association with educational and business contexts.