# partial order on conjugate classes of subgroups

G is a group. For a subgroup H of G, note $[H]$ the class of subgroups which are conjugate to H.

Define the binary relation: $[H] \leq [K]$ iff $H_0 \subset K_0$ for some $H_0 \in [H]$ and $K_0 \in [K]$

It is easy to see that this relation is reflexive and transitive. But how to show that it is anti-symmetric?

P.S. In a book, the author claims that this relation defines a partial order on the classes of conjugate subgroups in a context where G is a compact Lie group. But I don't think the compact Lie group condition be essential, right?

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This preorder is Green's J-order on the idempotents of Scheins inverse semigroup of cosets of G. – Benjamin Steinberg Apr 26 '12 at 0:30

The compactness is essential. Let $G$ be the group of conformal automorphisms of $\mathbb R^2$. Let $H$ be the group of translations $(x,y)\mapsto (x+m,x+n)$, $m$ and $n$ integers. Let $K$ be the group of translations $(x,y)\mapsto (x+m,x+2n)$, $m$ and $n$ integers. $K$ is a subgroup of $H$, and a conjugate of $H$ is a subgroup of $K$, but $H$ is not conjugate to $K$.
Here is a countable example. Take the Baumslag-Solitar group $\langle a, b \mid bab^{-1}=a^{4}\rangle$. Let $K=\langle a\rangle$, $H=\langle a^2\rangle$. Then $[K]\ne [H]$ (the standard properties of HNN extensions, see the book of Lyndon and Schupp), but $K > H$ while $bKb^{-1} < H$.