Subsidise vs Subsidised: When And How Can You Use Each One?

When it comes to writing, choosing the right words is essential. One word that can often cause confusion is the difference between “subsidise” and “subsidised.” So, which one is the proper word to use? The answer is both.

“Subsidise” is a verb that means to support financially. It is often used in the context of government support for businesses or individuals. For example, a government may subsidise a company to help it grow or a student may receive a subsidy to help pay for their education.

“Subsidised” is the past tense of “subsidise.” It is used to describe something that has already received financial support. For example, a company may have been subsidised by the government in the past.

In this article, we will explore the differences between “subsidise” and “subsidised” in more detail and provide examples of how to use them correctly.

Subsidise

Subsidise is a verb that refers to the act of providing financial assistance to an individual, organization, or government to aid them in achieving a particular goal or objective. This financial support can come in various forms, such as grants, loans, tax breaks, or direct payments. The primary aim of subsidising is to encourage or stimulate the growth of a particular industry, sector, or activity that is deemed beneficial to society.

For instance, the government may subsidise the agricultural sector by providing farmers with subsidies to help them purchase farming equipment or fertilizers. Similarly, a company may subsidise its employees’ health insurance premiums to promote employee well-being and loyalty.

Subsidised

Subsidised is the past participle form of the verb subsidise. It is used to describe something that has received financial assistance or support from an external source. The term is commonly used to refer to goods or services that are sold at a lower price than their actual cost due to government subsidies or other forms of financial assistance.

For example, a government may subsidise public transportation, making it more affordable for citizens to use. A university may offer subsidised tuition fees to students from low-income families to make education accessible to all.

Comparison between subsidise and subsidised

Term	Definition
Subsidise	Verb that refers to providing financial assistance to an individual, organization, or government to aid them in achieving a particular goal or objective.
Subsidised	Past participle form of subsidise, used to describe something that has received financial assistance or support from an external source.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words subsidise and subsidised in a sentence, it is important to understand their meanings and proper usage. Here are some guidelines to help you use these words correctly.

How To Use Subsidise In A Sentence

The word subsidise is a verb that means to support financially or provide a subsidy for. Here are some examples of how to use it in a sentence:

• The government plans to subsidise the cost of healthcare for low-income families.
• The company decided to subsidise employee gym memberships to promote a healthy lifestyle.
• The non-profit organisation received a grant to subsidise their community outreach programs.

As you can see, subsidise is often used in the context of financial support for a specific purpose or group.

How To Use Subsidised In A Sentence

The word subsidised is the past tense and past participle form of the verb subsidise. It is used to describe something that has been supported financially or provided with a subsidy. Here are some examples of how to use it in a sentence:

• The concert tickets were heavily subsidised by the sponsor, making them affordable for students.
• The new housing development was partially subsidised by the government to provide affordable housing options.
• The farmers were able to purchase subsidised fertilisers and seeds to improve their crop yield.

Subsidised is often used to describe something that has received financial support or a subsidy in the past.

More Examples Of Subsidise & Subsidised Used In Sentences

In this section, we will look at more examples of how to use the words “subsidise” and “subsidised” in sentences. These examples will help you understand the context in which these words are typically used.

Examples Of Using Subsidise In A Sentence

• The government plans to subsidise the cost of public transportation for low-income families.
• The company decided to subsidise the cost of gym memberships for its employees.
• The university offers a scholarship program to subsidise the cost of tuition for students from low-income families.
• The city council voted to subsidise the construction of affordable housing for seniors.
• The state government provides funding to subsidise the cost of renewable energy projects.
• The nonprofit organization relies on donations to subsidise its programs for at-risk youth.
• The airline industry is heavily subsidised by the government.
• The company received a grant to subsidise the cost of research and development for a new product.
• The government is considering whether to subsidise the cost of child care for working parents.
• The museum relies on corporate sponsors to subsidise its exhibitions and events.

Examples Of Using Subsidised In A Sentence

• The government has subsidised the cost of public transportation for low-income families for several years.
• The company has subsidised the cost of gym memberships for its employees since it was founded.
• The scholarship program has subsidised the cost of tuition for thousands of students from low-income families.
• The construction of affordable housing for seniors was subsidised by the city council.
• The cost of renewable energy projects is subsidised by the state government to encourage their development.
• The programs for at-risk youth are subsidised by donations from individuals and corporations.
• The airline industry has been heavily subsidised by the government for decades.
• The grant subsidised the cost of research and development for a new product, which is now on the market.
• The cost of child care for working parents may be subsidised by the government in the future.
• The exhibitions and events at the museum are subsidised by corporate sponsors and private donors.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words subsidise and subsidised, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should be used appropriately. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using these words:

1. Using ‘Subsidise’ Instead Of ‘Subsidised’

One common mistake people make is using the word ‘subsidise’ when they actually mean ‘subsidised’. The word ‘subsidise’ is a verb that means to provide financial assistance or support, while ‘subsidised’ is an adjective that describes something that has been given financial assistance or support.

For example, it is incorrect to say “The company was subsidise by the government”, as the correct sentence should be “The company was subsidised by the government”.

2. Using ‘Subsidised’ Instead Of ‘Subsidise’

Another mistake people make is using the word ‘subsidised’ as a verb instead of ‘subsidise’. This is incorrect as ‘subsidised’ is an adjective and cannot be used as a verb.

For example, it is incorrect to say “The government subsidised the company last year”, as the correct sentence should be “The government provided a subsidy to the company last year”.

3. Confusing ‘Subsidise’ With ‘Sponsor’

People also tend to confuse the words ‘subsidise’ and ‘sponsor’. While both words involve providing financial assistance, they have different meanings. ‘Subsidise’ refers to providing financial assistance or support to a person or organization in need, while ‘sponsor’ refers to providing financial support for an event or activity for advertising or publicity purposes.

For example, it is incorrect to say “The company sponsored the research project”, as the correct sentence should be “The company provided a subsidy for the research project”.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Double-check your use of ‘subsidise’ and ‘subsidised’ before submitting any written work.
• Use a dictionary or thesaurus to confirm the correct usage of these words.
• Read your work aloud to ensure that you are using the correct word.
• Ask a colleague or friend to review your work for any errors.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “subsidise” and “subsidised” can be tricky, as it largely depends on the context in which they are used. The choice can have a significant impact on the meaning of the sentence, and it is important to understand the subtle differences between the two words.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “subsidise” and “subsidised” might change:

1. Government Funding

When discussing government funding, “subsidise” is typically used as a verb, while “subsidised” is used as an adjective. For example:

• The government plans to subsidise the construction of new affordable housing.
• The new affordable housing project is subsidised by the government.

In this context, “subsidise” refers to the act of providing financial assistance, while “subsidised” describes something that has already received such assistance.

2. Business Operations

When discussing business operations, “subsidise” can be used as both a verb and an adjective, while “subsidised” is typically used as an adjective. For example:

• The company is considering whether to subsidise employee training programs.
• The employee training programs are subsidised by the company.
• The company’s subsidised training programs have been very successful.

In this context, “subsidise” refers to the act of providing financial assistance, while “subsidised” describes something that has already received such assistance.

3. Education

When discussing education, “subsidise” is typically used as a verb, while “subsidised” is used as an adjective. For example:

• The government plans to subsidise college tuition for low-income families.
• Many colleges offer subsidised tuition rates for students with financial need.

In this context, “subsidise” refers to the act of providing financial assistance, while “subsidised” describes something that has already received such assistance.

As you can see, the choice between “subsidise” and “subsidised” can vary depending on the context in which they are used. It is important to carefully consider the intended meaning of the sentence and choose the appropriate word accordingly.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using subsidise and subsidised are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.

Subsidize As A Noun

In certain contexts, subsidize can be used as a noun rather than a verb. This is most commonly seen in discussions of government funding and support for various industries and initiatives.

For example:

• The government’s subsidies for renewable energy have helped to drive down costs and increase adoption rates.
• The film industry relies heavily on subsidies from the government to remain competitive.

Subsidised Loans

In the realm of finance, subsidised loans are a common exception to the rules surrounding subsidise and subsidised. These are loans that are offered at a lower interest rate than what is typically available, often with the goal of promoting economic growth or supporting specific groups.

For example:

• Many college students are eligible for subsidised loans that offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment terms.
• The Small Business Administration provides subsidised loans to entrepreneurs and small business owners who may not qualify for traditional bank loans.

It’s worth noting that while these loans are referred to as “subsidised,” the past tense form of the verb (subsidised) is not used in this context.

Regional Variations

As with many words and phrases in the English language, there may be regional variations in how subsidise and subsidised are used. For example, in British English, it is more common to use the -ise spelling for both the verb and the past tense form, while American English tends to use -ize.

Additionally, there may be specific industries or contexts where one form is preferred over the other, even if it doesn’t strictly follow the “rules” for usage.

Overall, it’s important to keep these exceptions in mind when using subsidise and subsidised to ensure that your writing is clear, accurate, and appropriate for the intended audience and context.

Practice Exercises

To help readers improve their understanding and use of subsidise and subsidised in sentences, here are some practice exercises:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

1. The government has decided to ___________ the cost of healthcare for low-income families.	subsidise
2. The new apartment complex was built with ___________ from the city.	subsidies
3. The company ___________ the research and development of a new product.	subsidised
4. The museum was ___________ by donations from wealthy patrons.	subsidised
5. The government’s decision to ___________ the farming industry was met with mixed reactions.	subsidise

Answer Key:

1. subsidise
2. subsidies
3. subsidised
4. subsidised
5. subsidise

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences using either subsidise or subsidised:

1. The government has ___________ the construction of new schools in underprivileged areas.
2. The company ___________ the cost of employee training programs.
3. The non-profit organization was ___________ by a generous donation from a local business.
4. The local theater company relies on ___________ from the city to stay afloat.
5. The government’s decision to ___________ the arts has been criticized by some.

Answer Key:

1. subsidised
2. subsidised
3. subsidised
4. subsidies
5. subsidise

By practicing these exercises, readers can improve their understanding and use of subsidise and subsidised in sentences. Remember, subsidise is the verb form, while subsidised is the past tense and past participle form.

Conclusion

After examining the differences between “subsidise” and “subsidised,” it is clear that the two words have distinct meanings and uses. “Subsidise” is a verb that means to provide financial support, while “subsidised” is the past tense and past participle form of the same verb.

It is important to use these words correctly in order to convey your intended meaning and avoid confusion. Additionally, paying attention to grammar and language use is crucial for effective communication in both written and spoken forms.

Key Takeaways

• “Subsidise” is a verb that means to provide financial support.
• “Subsidised” is the past tense and past participle form of “subsidise.”
• Using these words correctly is important for effective communication.

Remember to always double-check your writing for errors and inconsistencies. Continuously learning about grammar and language use can help improve your writing skills and enhance your communication abilities.