Subscribe vs. Ascribe: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Harlon Moss || Published on December 12, 2023
To subscribe means to arrange to receive something regularly, like a service, while ascribe is to attribute something, like a quality, to a source.
Key Differences
Subscribe typically refers to arranging regular receipt of a service or publication. On the other hand, ascribe involves attributing a cause or characteristic to someone or something.
When you subscribe, you commit to a service or publication, often paying for it. While, ascribing involves linking an action, quality, or event to a particular source or person.
Subscribing can also mean agreeing with or endorsing an idea. To ascribe, however, is to assign responsibility or origin, such as a writer to a quote.
Subscription is an ongoing process, implying continuity. Whereas, ascription is more about making a connection or association, often retrospectively.
Subscribe can also mean to formally sign a document, agreeing to its contents. Meanwhile, ascribing often involves a judgement or analysis, determining the source of an idea or action.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
To arrange to receive something regularly.
To attribute something to a source.
Context of Use
Often used in services and publications.
Used in assigning qualities or causes.
Implication of Action
Implies a commitment or agreement.
Implies linking or assigning origin.
Associated Activities
Involves receiving, agreeing, or endorsing.
Involves analyzing, judging, or connecting.
Formality
Can be formal (subscriptions) or informal (ideas).
Usually involves a formal assignment of attribution.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe and Ascribe Definitions
Subscribe
Subscribe means to arrange regularly to receive a publication or service.
I subscribe to several science magazines.
Ascribe
Ascribing can mean assigning a value or role to something.
The tribe ascribes a sacred status to the mountain.
Subscribe
Subscribe can mean to give assent or agreement to an idea.
Many people subscribe to the theory of climate change.
Ascribe
Ascribe means to attribute something to a particular cause or source.
The success of the project was ascribed to teamwork.
Subscribe
Subscribe may also mean to contribute or pledge to a cause.
They subscribe a significant amount to charity every year.
Ascribe
Ascribe involves attributing a quality or characteristic to someone.
They ascribed great wisdom to the elderly professor.
Subscribe
To subscribe is to sign one’s name to a document.
The founders subscribed their names to the charter.
Ascribe
Ascribe also refers to considering something as belonging to.
The invention of the telephone is often ascribed to Alexander Graham Bell.
Subscribe
Subscribe can imply becoming a member of an initiative or group.
He decided to subscribe to the local gym.
Ascribe
To ascribe can mean to assign a work or remark to a particular author.
Scholars ascribe the play to Shakespeare.
Subscribe
To pledge or contribute (a sum of money).
Ascribe
To regard as arising from a specified cause or source
"Other people ascribe his exclusion from the canon to an unsubtle form of racism" (Daniel Pinchbeck).
Subscribe
To sign (one's name) at the end of a document, especially to attest to or authenticate it.
FAQs
Can you subscribe to ideas?
Yes, it means to agree with or endorse them.
What is ascribing?
Attributing a quality, cause, or origin to someone or something.
How do you use ascribe in a sentence?
"He ascribed his success to hard work."
Can ascribe be used in historical context?
Yes, to attribute events or works to historical figures or periods.
Do subscriptions imply long-term commitment?
Usually, they involve ongoing receipt or agreement.
Can businesses subscribe to services?
Yes, businesses often subscribe to various services.
What does it mean to subscribe?
To arrange to regularly receive or agree with something.
What types of things can be ascribed?
Qualities, causes, works, and origins.
In legal terms, what does ascribe mean?
It involves legally attributing something to a person or entity.
Is subscribing always paid?
Often, but it can also be a free agreement or endorsement.
How does ascribe differ from prescribe?
Ascribe assigns origin; prescribe suggests a course of action.
Is ascribing a subjective process?
It can be, depending on the interpretation or analysis involved.
Are there electronic subscriptions?
Yes, like digital magazines or streaming services.
Is ascribe used in literary analysis?
Yes, to attribute works or ideas to specific authors or periods.
Is subscribing limited to physical items?
No, it can include digital services or agreeing with concepts.
Does subscribing always involve a signature?
Not always, but it can in formal agreements.
Can ascribe have negative connotations?
Yes, if it involves attributing negative qualities or blame.
Can you unsubscribe?
Yes, it means to cancel a subscription.
Can ascribe be used in scientific contexts?
Yes, to attribute scientific phenomena to causes or sources.
What is a subscription fee?
A charge for ongoing access to a service or publication.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
