extract

USAGE SUMMARY

"extract" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning "to take out or remove something from a larger source" or as a noun meaning "a concentrated or purified form of something". Example sentence: She extracted the data from the report.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Salmond continued to talk of multiple questions, but it was nothing more than a bargaining chip for the talks – a way to extract concessions from Cameron on other issues: the timing of the poll, the wording of the question, and the franchise.

The Guardian

His biggest strategic miscalculation was not to use the leverage he had over George Bush as the only substantial western ally to join the 2003 invasion – the "coalition of the willing" – to extract a better plan for the occupation of Saddam Hussein's ill-governed state once the fighting was over (even sooner than expected).

The Guardian

Collaery, who is one of a team of lawyers representing Timor-Leste in the international arbitration, has argued the raids were a deliberate effort by the Australian government to disrupt the proceedings, in which Timor-Leste alleges that in 2004 Australia improperly spied on the Timorese during treaty negotiations in order to extract a commercial benefit.

The Guardian

Each year, 1.5m packs of St John's wort (Hypericum extract) are sold in the UK.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Serves 6 For the custard: single cream 500ml vanilla extract 1 tsp egg 5 yolks caster sugar 4 tbsp For the rhubarb: rhubarb 600g caster sugar 75g water 100ml Make the custard first.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Updated at 11.58am BST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.23am BSThis23 This is an extract from what Benedict Brogan has to say about "one year to go until the election coverage" in the papers in his Telegraph morning briefing email.

The Guardian

Abbott read to parliament an extract of the statement relating to lending and dwelling prices, but did not mention the line about market risks.

The Guardian

According to an extract of his speech circulated by his office on Sunday, Shorten planned to say: "When someone has found not just another person they can live with, but a person they can't live without, then they should have the same right to the true qualities of a bond that runs deeper than any law".

The Guardian

Hosch is well liked in Canberra, the place where she will need to extract the fineprint.

The Guardian

The relevant extract from the court transcript reads: Justice Arnold: "Well, if this order is enforced, and it's secret, how can you be hurt?

The Guardian - Tech

Here's an extract from the Downing Street note about these plans.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extract" as a verb, ensure the context clearly indicates the source from which something is being taken. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "extract from" when "extract" alone suffices. For example, instead of saying "extract information from the document", say "extract information from the document". Adding "from" is often redundant.

Linguistic Context

The word "extract" functions primarily as a transitive verb, indicating the action of removing or obtaining something from a source. It also serves as a noun, referring to the substance that is removed or a concentrated form of it, such as vanilla extract. Ludwig provides examples to support these usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

25%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Travel

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extract" is a versatile word functioning as both a verb and a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness is unquestionable, and its frequency is very high, as is evident from the multiple examples. As a verb, it means to remove or obtain something, while as a noun, it refers to the substance removed. The usage ranges from news and media to lifestyle content, indicating broad applicability. To use it effectively, ensure the source of extraction is clear and avoid redundant phrases like "extract from" when "extract" alone suffices. Related phrases like "draw out" or "remove" can offer suitable alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw out

Focuses on the action of pulling something out, similar to extract but less formal.

remove

Implies taking something away, overlapping with extract when the removal is from a source.

derive

Suggests obtaining something from a source, akin to extract but emphasizes the origin.

obtain

Focuses on acquiring something, which can be through extraction.

distill

Specifically refers to extracting the essence or core of something, a more refined form of extract.

excerpt

Related to taking a specific part of something, specifically a text.

elicit

Signifies drawing out a response or information, relating to extract in a communicative context.

abstract

Focuses on summarizing or drawing out the main points, a more conceptual form of extract.

express

To press or squeeze something out.

take out

A more casual way of saying remove, implying a simpler extraction process.

FAQs

How can I use "extract" in a sentence?

You can use "extract" as a verb meaning to remove or obtain something from a source, such as "They extracted valuable minerals from the mine". As a noun, it refers to a concentrated substance, like "vanilla extract".

What are some synonyms for "extract"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "extract" include "draw out", "remove", "derive", "obtain", and "distill".

What is the difference between "extract" and "excerpt"?

"Extract" generally refers to removing or obtaining something from a source, while "excerpt" specifically means to take a short passage from a text. Therefore, you extract information or minerals, but you excerpt a passage from a book.

Is it correct to say "extract from" or just "extract"?

While "extract from" is sometimes used, it can often be redundant. Using just "extract" is usually sufficient and more concise, such as "extract information from the report" instead of "extract information from the report".