Unterordnen

Unterordnen is a German verb meaning to subordinate or to place under the authority or control of another person or organization. It can refer to subordinating a division, department, or group, or to subordinating a rule or principle to a higher norm. The reflexive form sich unterordnen describes submitting oneself to another’s authority.

Grammar: Unterordnen is a verb with a separable prefix. In finite clauses the prefix commonly separates: Der Geschäftsführer ordnet die Abteilung dem Vorstand unter. The past participle is untergeordnet and the perfect tense is formed with haben: Die Abteilung wurde dem Vorstand untergeordnet. The verb takes a dative object for the superior (jemandem) and an accusative object for what is subordinated (etwas).

Etymology: The word combines unter (under) and ordnen (to order, arrange), literally “to arrange under,” i.e., to place under the authority of someone.

Usage: In organizational contexts it describes hierarchical subordination. In grammar and linguistics, Unterordnung denotes the relationship of a subordinate clause to a main clause, such as a clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction.

See also: Unterordnung as a noun (the act or state of subordination); related verbs include untergeben and unterstellen, which convey similar notions of placing something under someone’s control. The term Unterordnung also appears in grammar to describe the subordinate relationship between clauses.