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Meaning & use

subject to

phrase·Academic

Last updated

UK/səbˈdʒekt tuː/
US/səbˈdʒekt tuː/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phraseformal

    affected by a particular rule, condition, or event; required to obey or experience it

    Grammar: Usually after 'be' or another linking verb: 'Prices are subject to change.' Followed by a noun or -ing form, not by 'to' + infinitive.

    Patterns

    • be subject to something
    • be subject to change
    • be subject to a rule/law
    • be subject to approval

    All prices are subject to change without notice.

    Employees are subject to the company's strict safety rules.

    The plan is subject to approval by the city council.

  2. phrasetransitiveformal

    to make someone or something experience something, especially something unpleasant

    Grammar: Takes an object: 'subject someone to something'. Often used in the passive: 'They were subjected to loud noise.'

    Patterns

    • subject someone to something
    • be subjected to something

    The prisoners were subjected to harsh treatment for months.

    Don't subject your guests to that terrible music all evening.

    The old bridge was subjected to heavy trucks every day.

  3. phrasefixed phraseformal

    depending on something else happening or being true; conditional on

    Grammar: Often followed by 'to' + noun: 'subject to availability'. It shows a condition, not a rule.

    Patterns

    • subject to availability
    • subject to conditions
    • subject to your agreement

    Tickets are free, subject to availability.

    We will offer you the job, subject to references.

    The offer is subject to your passing a medical exam.

Common combinations

subject to change
The schedule is subject to change, so check the website.
subject to approval
The loan is subject to approval by the bank.
subject to tax
These goods are subject to tax at the standard rate.
be subjected to criticism
The new policy was subjected to heavy criticism.
subject to availability
Upgrades are offered subject to availability.

Synonyms and how they differ

liable to
Often used for legal or unpleasant consequences: 'You are liable to a fine.' 'Subject to' is wider and more neutral.
conditional on
Focuses only on the 'depending on' sense, not on rules or forcing someone to experience something.
exposed to
Similar to the 'experience something' sense, but it stresses contact or risk rather than being forced.

Opposites

exempt fromfree from

Word family

subject verb
To force someone to experience something: 'They subjected him to a long interview.'
subjection noun
The state of being controlled or forced to obey: 'the subjection of the population'.

Commonly confused: subject to or subject? subject to or susceptible to?

subject to vs subject

As a noun, 'subject' means a topic or a school area and is stressed on the first syllable. The phrase 'subject to' is stressed on the second syllable.

subject to vs susceptible to

'Susceptible to' means easily harmed or influenced by something; 'subject to' is about rules or conditions.

Practice

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