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Prepositions after verbs

How to use prepositions with subtract

Subtract is most commonly followed by from to show the number or amount being reduced.

Quick answer

Correct prepositions with subtract

Use subtract from when taking one amount away from another. By can appear with an amount of difference, while for is not normally used after subtract.

subtract 5 from 20.
Sales were subtracted by 10 percent in the revised figures.
Please subtract the tax from the total.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
subtract A from B

Taking one amount away from another

This is the standard mathematical and general pattern.

subtract 12 from 50
You should subtract expenses from your income.
2
subtract by + amount

Expressing the amount of reduction

By can introduce the amount of change or reduction, especially in passive wording.

The estimate was subtracted by 3 units.
The final score was subtracted by two points after review.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
subtract from
Subtract 8 from 15.
Standard pattern for removing one amount from another.
subtract by
The total was subtracted by 5 percent.
Possible when by introduces the amount of reduction, though less common than subtract from.
subtract for
The phrase 'subtract for' is not standard in this meaning.
Use subtract from instead.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using subtract for

For is not the normal preposition after subtract.

✕ Subtract 10 for 100. ✓ Subtract 10 from 100.

Reversing the numbers

In subtract A from B, B is the starting amount.

✕ Subtract 100 from 10 to get 90. ✓ Subtract 10 from 100 to get 90.

Using by when from is needed

Use from for the main mathematical operation.

✕ Subtract 7 by 20. ✓ Subtract 7 from 20.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Subtract 4 ___ 19.
2. The budget was reduced ___ 5 percent.
3. Which sentence is correct?

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Frequently asked questions

Is subtract from the standard pattern?

Yes. It is the normal structure in mathematics and everyday English.

Can subtract be followed by by?

Yes, but usually only when by introduces the amount of reduction.

Is subtract for correct?

No. English normally uses subtract from instead.

sack, by, sack, for, sack, from "sacrifice for" or "sacrifice to"? sail from, in, for, to or through? "salvage from" or "salvage in"? sanction by, for, in, with or according? satisfy with, by, in, about or after? "saturate with" or "saturate in"? save by, for, from, on or in? "say in", "say about" or "say to"? "scan for", "scan in" or "scan through"? "scar by" or "scar on"? scatter in, across, around, throughout or on?

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