Understanding ‘Subsidy’: Key Vocabulary for IELTS Success
Learn the meaning, usage, and importance of the word ‘subsidy’ for your IELTS exam. This video covers the definition, word type, synonyms, antonyms, and common usage examples to help you effectively use this term in your speaking and writing tasks.
Imagine paying less for your bus ticket or getting cheaper healthcare. These are examples of subsidies in action.
Today, we’re exploring the word subsidy, an important term for your IELTS preparation.
Word type: Subsidy is a noun.
Its plural form is subsidies.
Meaning: A subsidy is financial support provided by a government or organization to keep the price of a product or service low or to help an industry or business continue to function.
Word history: The word subsidy comes from the Latin word subsidium, which means support or assistance.
It entered the English language in the fourteenth century.
Antonyms: Some antonyms for subsidy include tax, levy, and surcharge.
Synonyms: Synonyms for subsidy include grant, aid, assistance, and allowance.
Examples use in sentences:
The government provides a subsidy to farmers to keep food prices affordable for consumers. Many countries offer subsidies for renewable energy to encourage its development and use.
Without the subsidy, the small theater would have to close due to high operating costs. Common errors in use:
A common mistake is confusing subsidy with subsidiary. While a subsidy is financial support, a subsidiary is a company controlled by another company.
Also, remember that subsidy is a countable noun, so you can say one subsidy or many subsidies. Understanding and using the word subsidy correctly can help you discuss economic and social policies in your IELTS speaking and writing tasks.
It’s particularly useful when talking about government support, agriculture, or environmental initiatives.
Practice using this word in your own sentences to become more comfortable with it.
