take away points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take away points" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when discussing an event or activity where points are lost for mistakes or poor performance. For example, "In the spelling bee, each mispelled word will take away points from the contestant's total score."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We wanted to take away points of friction".

TechCrunch

Give points for good behavior and take away points for bad behavior.

WikiHow

Most cards add or take away points, but most cards also have a second effect, such as requiring you to discard a card each turn, draw two cards, or dance before playing a card.

WikiHow

Be careful not to go over the lines though because that will take away points At the Friday evening meetings you get told your main topic to focus on the next week and you have to get a minimum of a certain amount of points and ratings (bad, good, great, etc. ).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The take away point of this work is that the scheme we propose to handle the traffic on a wireless network is not only innovative and meaningful, but has also the potential to be modified and translated into practical implementations.

University of California, Berkeley

The take away point is that the Supreme Court didn't give us what we needed; in fact, it probably made things worse from a doctrinal standpoint.

TechCrunch

A close read of Zealot, The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth makes this conclusion the Number One Take Away Point; a perspective not necessarily original, but nevertheless comforting and affirming if you're inclined to worry about white privilege and socio-economic inequality.

Huffington Post

From there, Jim took away points for anything from quality of the food and service to the wine list to cleanliness.

Huffington Post

The essential take away point though is that China's announced GDP figures are a useful enough guide to the big picture.

Forbes

But perhaps the most interesting thing about the former president's detailed almost comically specific response -- and of course by responding he is drawing more attention to the piece than it ever would have received on its own -- is that he completely ignores the take away point of Purdum's piece: that Bill Clinton is still running around with women not his wife.

Huffington Post

"If I was the WMSC I would take away team points and leave the drivers' points," said Lotus technical head Mike Gascoyne, who worked with the double world champion at Renault.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take away points", ensure the context clearly indicates what actions or errors lead to the point reduction. For example, specify the criteria for point deductions in a game or grading system.

Common error

Avoid using "take away points" without specifying the reason for the deduction. Unclear criteria can lead to confusion and perceived unfairness. Always provide specific examples of actions that will result in point deductions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take away points" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of subtracting or deducting points from a total score. This usage is supported by Ludwig, confirming its validity in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take away points" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the act of deducting points from a score or total. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid and applicable in various contexts, from academic grading to game rules. While it maintains a generally neutral register, it is essential to provide clear reasons for point deductions to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "deduct points" or "subtract points" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deduct points

Focuses specifically on the act of subtracting points, particularly in scoring or grading contexts.

remove points

Similar to "deduct points", but can also apply to removing points in a more general sense.

subtract points

Emphasizes the mathematical operation of subtraction in the context of points.

dock points

Suggests a penalty or punishment resulting in the loss of points.

penalize with point deduction

Formal way to express losing points as a consequence of an action.

reduce the score

Focuses on the overall score being lowered as the result of losing points.

erase points

Implies a complete removal or nullification of points.

nullify points

Highlights that specific points are made invalid or worthless.

invalidate points

Similar to "nullify points", suggesting that the points are no longer valid.

take away credit

Shifts the focus to credit rather than points, indicating a loss of recognition or accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I use "take away points" in a sentence?

You can use "take away points" to describe situations where errors or violations result in a reduction of a score or total, such as, "The referee will "deduct points" for unsportsmanlike conduct".

What are some alternatives to "take away points"?

Alternatives include "deduct points", "remove points", or "subtract points", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "take away points" or should I use another phrase?

"Take away points" is a correct and commonly used phrase. Its appropriateness depends on the context, but it's generally acceptable in both formal and informal settings.

What's the difference between "take away points" and "award points"?

"Take away points" refers to subtracting or deducting points, while "award points" means adding or giving points. They are opposite actions.