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What is Be subject to in English? Accurate usage of Be subject to in English!

Be subject to is a common phrase you'll encounter in everyday English communication. What does be subject to meaning involve, and how do we use it properly? In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything about be subject to in English, including practical examples and exercises!

The usage of Be subject to in English
The usage of Be subject to in English

I. The definition of Be subject to?

What exactly is be subject to meaning? According to Cambridge Dictionary, be subject to is pronounced /bi ˈsʌbdʒɪkt tu/. This phrase means: to have or experience something, usually something unpleasant or restrictive. When you are being subject to something, you must accept or experience it. Here are some examples of be subject to in use:

  • International travelers are subject to strict security checks at airports to ensure safety. 

  • The coastal regions are subject to frequent hurricanes and tropical storms. 

  • Online transactions are subject to potential cyberattacks. 

  • Small businesses are subject to fluctuating market conditions, making it challenging to maintain stability.
What is Be subject to in English?
What is Be subject to in English?

II . Common Words and Phrases with Be Subject To

After learning be subject to meaning, please look at frequent combinations that help you understand when being subject to different situations occurs:

Words and phrases associated with Be subject to in English
Words and phrases associated with Be subject to in English

Words and phrases associated with Be subject to in English 

Example

be subject to a charge/fee

  • Access to the gym is subject to a monthly membership fee

  • Online purchases may be subject to additional shipping charges

be subject to additional charges

  • The airline ticket price is subject to additional charges for seat selection. 

be subject to a tariff/a tax rate

  • Imported goods are subject to a customs tariff upon arrival. 

  • High-income earners are subject to a higher tax rate

be subject to the company’s regulations

  • Employees are subject to the company's regulations regarding work hours and attendance. 

be subject to damage

  • Fragile items are subject to damage during shipping. 

be subject to change/variation

  • The schedule is subject to change, so please check for updates regularly.

  • The prices of commodities are subject to variation based on market demand. 

be subject to discipline

  • Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to discipline

be subject to the rules of each place

  • Visitors to the museum are subject to the rules of the institution. 

be subject to arrangement of superiors

  • The work schedule of employees is subject to the arrangement of their superiors

be subject to approval

  • Admission into this program is subject to approval by the admissions committee. 

be subject to contract

  • The terms and conditions of the agreement are subject to contract

be subject to average

  • In case of partial loss, the compensation is subject to average

be subject to breakage

  • The delicate components of the electronic device are subject to breakage if dropped. 

be subject to acceptance

  • The terms of the software license are subject to acceptance by the user upon installation.

be subject to approval of import license

  • The shipment of restricted items is subject to approval of import license

be subject to being unsold

  • The remaining inventory is subject to being unsold

be subject to change without notice

  • The menu options are subject to change without notice based on ingredient availability. 

be subject to customs duty

  • Imported goods are subject to customs duty upon entering the country. 

These are the most common ways to use be subject to in English. Understanding be subject to meaning in these contexts will help you communicate more effectively.

III. How to Use Be Subject To in English

Now let's master how be subject to works in different sentence structures. Being subject to something follows specific grammar patterns:

Usage of Be subject to in English
Usage of Be subject to in English

Usage of Be subject to in English

Example

Affirmative form

Subject + be subject to + Noun/ Noun phrase

  • Employees are subject to the company's dress code policy. 

  • The project is subject to the approval of the management team. 

Negative form

Subject + be + not + subject to + Noun/Noun phrase

  • Visitors to the museum are not subject to entry fees on certain days. 

  • Volunteers are not subject to the same rules as regular employees.

Understanding these patterns helps you use be subject to correctly in both positive and negative situations.

IV. Synonyms for Be Subject To in English

Besides be subject to, you can use other similar expressions. Here are alternatives that share be subject to meaning in different contexts:

Synonyms of Be subject to in English
Synonyms of Be subject to in English

Synonyms of Be subject to in English

Example

experience

/ɪkˈspɪəriəns/

  • Employees may experience disciplinary action for violating company policies. 

  • Students may experience academic consequences for not meeting the requirements. 

suffer

/ˈsʌfə(r)/

  • Patients may suffer from the side effects of medication. 

  • The company may suffer financial losses due to a decrease in sales. 

go through

/ɡəʊ θruː/


pass through

 /pɑːs θruː/

  • Job applicants go through a rigorous interview process before being hired. 

  • Goods imported from foreign countries pass through customs inspections. 

undergo

/ˌʌndəˈɡəʊ/

  • Employees must undergo training programs to enhance their skills. 

  • Organizations may undergo restructure to improve efficiency. 

affect

/əˈfekt/

  • Changes in government regulations affect the operations of businesses. 

  • Economic fluctuations affect consumers' purchasing power. 

impact

/ˈɪmpækt/

  • The toxic work culture negatively impacted employee morale. 

  • The new government policies impacted small businesses. 

influence

/ˈɪnfluenza/

  • The negative comments from online users influenced the artist's confidence. 

  • The misleading advertisements influenced consumers to make poor purchasing decisions. 

depend

/dɪˈpend/

  • The availability of the product depends on the supplier's delivery schedule. 

  • The outcome of the negotiation depends on reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. 

hinge

/hɪndʒ/

  • The outcome of the court case hinges on presenting strong evidence. 

  • The company's growth hinges on expanding into new markets. 

result from

/rɪˈzʌlt frame/

  • The financial losses resulted from mismanagement. 

  • The accident resulted from poor visibility. 

arise from

/əˈraɪz frame/

  • The delays in production arose from equipment malfunctions. 

  • The conflict arose from a misunderstanding between the two parties. 

be due to

/bi djuː tuː/

  • The increase in prices is due to inflation. inflation. (Price increases are due to inflation.)

  • The cancellation of the event was due to unforeseen circumstances. 

V. Similar Phrases: How "Be Subject To" Compares

Phrase

Meaning

Key Difference

Example

Be subject to

Under control/influence of

Passive state of dependency

"Prices are subject to market conditions"

Be subjected to

Experience something imposed

Active experience, often negative

"Prisoners were subjected to harsh conditions"

Be exposed to

Face potential influence/harm

Possibility rather than certainty

"Children are exposed to various influences"

Be prone to

Have tendency toward

Natural inclination or weakness

"Athletes are prone to injuries"

Be susceptible to

Easily affected by

Vulnerability or sensitivity

"Plants are susceptible to frost damage"

Understanding these differences prevents confusion between similar phrases. Be subject to indicates ongoing dependency or control, while "be subjected to" describes completed experiences. Being subject to something suggests current conditions rather than past events.

Be subject to emphasizes authority relationships and ongoing conditions. These differences matter in professional writing where precision determines understanding and legal implications.

VI. Practice Exercise: Using Be Subject To with Answers

After learning be subject to meaning and grammar structures, let's practice with exercises to master being subject to different situations:

Exercise: Complete the following sentences using be subject to

  1. The advertised price (not) _________ additional charges.

  2. Imported goods _________ a tax rate determined by customs.

  3. Employees _________ the company's regulations regarding dress code.

  4. Fragile items _________ damage during shipping if not properly packaged.

  5. Please note that the schedule _________ change due to unexpected circumstances.

  6. Students who violate the school's code of conduct _________ discipline.

Answers:

  1. The advertised price is not subject to additional charges.

  2. Imported goods are subject to a tax rate determined by customs.

  3. Employees are subject to the company's regulations regarding dress code.

  4. Fragile items are subject to damage during shipping if not properly packaged.

  5. Please note that the schedule is subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

  6. Students who violate the school's code of conduct are subject to discipline.

Now you understand be subject to meaning and how to use be subject to correctly in English! This guide covers all essential knowledge about be subject to, including common phrases and synonyms. Whether you're being subject to new rules at work or explaining that prices are subject to change, you can now use this phrase confidently. Be subject to appears frequently in formal and business English, so mastering its usage will improve your communication skills significantly. We hope this comprehensive explanation of be subject to serves as a valuable reference for your English learning journey!

Chloe
Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.

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