“处于次要地位”常见的英文表达有：
be in a secondary position
例句：In this project, our role is in a secondary position compared to the main research team.（在这个项目中，与主要研究团队相比，我们的角色处于次要地位 。）
play a secondary role
例句：In the family, she used to play a secondary role, taking care of the household while her husband focused on his career.（在家庭中，她过去一直处于次要地位，在丈夫专注于事业时照顾家务。）
be of secondary importance
例句：Although the decorations are nice, the quality of the product itself is of secondary importance compared to its functionality.（虽然装饰很漂亮，但与产品的功能性相比，产品本身的质量处于次要地位。）