take points off

USAGE SUMMARY

"take points off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation in which a person or team loses points due to an infraction, mistake, or penalty. For example, "The referee took five points off for the team's delay of game penalty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Why did she say she would take points off if these shortcuts appeared in writing assignments?

The New York Times

If Burnley take points off Bolton this year, Wanderers fans will not be thanking their chairman.

The Guardian - Sport

Bath's emerging star Kyle Eastmond was another crock from weekend one but they knew what a great chance this was to take points off their old rivals.

Independent

Djokovic lost the first set in a tie-break, blowing chance after chance as Federer struggled to take points off his opponent's serve.

The Guardian - Sport

As Spiegel Online's Peter Ahrens succinctly argued, however, teams going through the emotions at the end of the season is an intrinsic part of the league structure and no one should patronise Freiburg – who were only one of two teams to take points off Bayern in the first half of the season in 2013-14 – thethextentnthatat a win for them can only be the product of Bavarian demob-happiness.

The Guardian - Sport

"We've got something to offer in this group, I think we can take points off teams".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Alavés, who secured a 1-1 athehe Vicente Calderón on the opening day of the season, remain the only team to have taken points off Atléti in Madrid in 17 matches in all competitions this season.

The Guardian - Sport

If the instructor has taken points off that you thought you deserved, go back into your lecture notes and text books and make a list of supporting evidence to have with you for the meeting.

WikiHow

"This is our home and you're not taking points off us.

The Guardian - Sport

Over the course of seven matches, Schmidt's side took points off Bayern on four occasions.

The Guardian - Sport

How is that different than taking points off the board, which conventional wisdom says never to do?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about rules and grading policies, clearly state the conditions under which points will be "take points off" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using similar expressions like "deduct points" or "subtract points" interchangeably without considering the specific context. "Take points off" can sometimes imply a more immediate or punitive action than simply deducting points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take points off" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of reducing a score or grade. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms it is a usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take points off" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of reducing a score, grade, or total. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a usable and understandable phrase in written English. Examples show its usage in various contexts, particularly in news and media and within Wiki sources. While "take points off" functions as a neutral expression, it's crucial to maintain clarity when outlining regulations or grading policies where it's applicable. Alternatives like "deduct marks", "penalize", and "dock points" can be used to add nuance or formality, depending on the situation. It's important to be aware of the implications of word choice to avoid misunderstandings in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take away points

Emphasizes the removal of points from a total.

deduct marks

Focuses on the action of subtracting marks, often in an academic context.

subtract points

Directly indicates the mathematical operation of subtracting from a total.

dock points

Similar to "deduct marks", but can be used in a broader range of contexts, not just academic.

penalize

Emphasizes the act of imposing a penalty, resulting in a loss of points or advantage.

lower the grade

Specifically refers to reducing an academic grade.

reduce the score

General term for lowering a score.

impose a penalty

Focuses on the imposition of a consequence leading to point reduction.

diminish the score

More formal way of saying reduce or lower the score.

slash the score

More emphatic way of reducing a score, implying a significant reduction.

FAQs

How to use "take points off" in a sentence?

You can use "take points off" to describe a deduction in scores due to errors or penalties. For example, "The teacher will "take points off" for late submissions."

What can I say instead of "take points off"?

Alternatives to "take points off" include "deduct marks", "penalize", or "dock points", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "take points off" or "deduct points"?

Both "take points off" and "deduct points" are correct, but "take points off" may suggest a more immediate or direct action. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "take points off" formal or informal?

"Take points off" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for academic or professional writing.