Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

was subtracted from

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was subtracted from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematical or financial contexts to indicate that a certain amount has been taken away from another amount. Example: "The total cost was subtracted from the initial budget to determine the remaining funds."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The background was subtracted from the image to reduce noise effects.

The background absorbance was subtracted from the well absorbance to give the sample absorbance.

Science & Research

Nature

Background noise was subtracted from total integrated voltage to calculate real SNA to each tissue.

Science & Research

Nature

I then asked for the fruit cup, and the $2 was subtracted from the bill!

News & Media

The New York Times

The absorbance of the negative control was subtracted from each sample.

Science & Research

Nature

In all cases, the signal from background samples was subtracted from the sample fluorescence.

Science & Research

Nature

The resulting background bathymetry was subtracted from the original DDMs producing zero-median DDMs.

Science & Research

Nature

Random neutrophil transmigration was subtracted from the CXCL1-treated chambers.

A magnetospheric field model was subtracted from the data.

The background spectrum was subtracted from the sample spectrum.

The activity, due to slow process, was subtracted from the total activity at various time intervals.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was subtracted from", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being taken away from what. Clarity is crucial in mathematical and scientific contexts.

Common error

Avoid mistakenly phrasing sentences where it's unclear which value is being subtracted from which. For instance, ensure the sentence doesn't imply subtracting the larger value from the smaller one if that's not the intended meaning.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.4/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was subtracted from" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a particular quantity or value has been reduced by another. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in scientific, technical, and financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

88%

News & Media

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was subtracted from" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction, particularly in scientific and technical writing to indicate a reduction in quantity or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a clear and objective way to describe a calculation or adjustment, mainly within Formal and Scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "was deducted from" or "was taken from" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in stating what is being subtracted from what to avoid ambiguity.

FAQs

How can I use "was subtracted from" in a sentence?

Use "was subtracted from" to indicate that a quantity has been taken away from another quantity. For example, "The cost of materials "was subtracted from" the total budget".

What are some alternatives to "was subtracted from"?

You can use alternatives like "was deducted from", "was taken from", or "was removed from", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was deducted from" or "was subtracted from"?

Both phrases are correct, but "was deducted from" often implies a formal or accounting context, while ""was subtracted from"" is more general.

What does "background noise was subtracted from" mean in scientific experiments?

It means that the baseline noise level, which could interfere with measurements, "was subtracted from" the experimental data to improve accuracy.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.4/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: