were deducted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were deducted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to amounts or values that have been subtracted from a total or account. Example: "After all expenses were deducted, the final profit was significantly lower than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Leeds were deducted 10 points the previous year after they were relegated.

The Guardian - Sport

At Luton, the initial 10 points we were deducted led directly to our relegation in 2008.

The Guardian - Sport

After lawyer fees were deducted, the workers received an average of $1,500 each.

The New York Times

"Before any of the consumers' debts were paid," she said, "Capoccia's fees were deducted".

The New York Times

After expenses were deducted, Mr. Guidara said, $8,000 was sent to Governor.

The New York Times

Once estimated expenses were deducted, three appeared to have earned below the national living wage and two above it.

The Guardian

Both studies found that the V.L.M.A.P. had its greatest historical accuracy when 50 percentage points were deducted from it.

The New York Times

He received seven years, from which two were deducted for the time he was held during the trial.

The New Yorker

A couple of employees have called to ask for a refund of the medical premiums that were deducted from their paycheck because they didn't use the insurance.

The New York Times

Four years ago Hartlepool, then in League One, were deducted three points and handed a suspended £10,000 fine by the Football League for fielding an ineligible player.

The Guardian - Sport

Going right back to 1895, St Helens played an ineligible player and were deducted a win so there is consistency through rugby league right from the beginning.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were deducted", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being subtracted from what. Clarity prevents ambiguity and enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "were deducted" without clearly specifying what is being deducted. For instance, instead of saying "Points were deducted", specify "Points were deducted for late submission" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were deducted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has had something taken away from it. This is confirmed by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate its usage in contexts where points, money, or other quantities are subtracted from a total.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were deducted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that indicates something has been subtracted or removed. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and wide range of applications, particularly in news, scientific writing, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is being subtracted from what. While alternatives like "were subtracted" and "were removed" exist, "were deducted" remains a precise and versatile choice for conveying the concept of subtraction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were subtracted

Uses "subtracted" as a direct synonym for "deducted" with minimal change in meaning.

had been subtracted

Uses "subtracted" instead of "deducted" and "had been" to indicate past perfect tense, emphasizing completion.

were reduced

Focuses on the result of the deduction, indicating a decrease in quantity or amount.

had been removed

Replaces "deducted" with "removed", focusing on the act of taking something away.

were decreased

Focuses on the lessening aspect, emphasizing that an amount or score has been lowered.

were taken away

Employs the phrasal verb "taken away" instead of "deducted", providing a more informal tone.

were withheld

Suggests something being held back or not given, similar to deducting from an expected amount.

were discounted

Implies a reduction in price or value, similar to deduction but specific to financial contexts.

were offset

Indicates a counterbalancing effect, where something is deducted to neutralize another factor.

were cleared

This alternative suggests a removal or deduction from a set of obligations, a slightly more abstract form.

FAQs

How can I use "were deducted" in a sentence?

You can use "were deducted" to describe a situation where an amount, points, or expenses have been subtracted from a total. For example, "Taxes "were deducted" from his salary."

What are some alternatives to saying "were deducted"?

Alternatives include "were subtracted", "were removed", or "were taken away", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was deducted" instead of "were deducted"?

"Was deducted" is used for singular subjects, while "were deducted" is for plural subjects. For example, "One point was deducted", but "Ten points "were deducted"".

What's the difference between "were deducted" and "were debited"?

"Were deducted" generally refers to subtracting from a total, while "were debited" specifically refers to taking money from an account. The choice depends on the context.