---
title: subtraction — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «subtraction» in the school dictionary: Subtraction is taking one number away from another to find what is left or the difference. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# subtraction

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Subtraction, you, 15, I, We, your · **What happens:** take, find, leave, be, take away, do · **To what, where:** one number, one sum, ten subtractions, opposite, subtraction, 10 sweets · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«subtraction» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [subtraction in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/subtraction.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Subtraction is taking one number away from another to find what is left or the difference.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:m1:1
# text = Subtraction is taking one number away from another to find what is left or the difference.
1	Subtraction	subtraction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	taking	take	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	away	away	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
7	from	from	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	another	another	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	6	obl	_	_
9	to	to	PART	TO	_	10	mark	_	_
10	find	find	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
11	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	13	nsubj:pass	_	_
12	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	aux:pass	_	_
13	left	leave	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	10	ccomp	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
15	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	difference	difference	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** | present · progressive | Subtraction | one number |  |  |  | away *property* | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Theme |
| 2 | **find** | to-infinitive | Subtraction *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn declare-29.4-1-1 «NP V what S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 3 | **leave** | present · passive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A subtraction is one sum where you take away.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:m2:1
# text = A subtraction is one sum where you take away.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	subtraction	subtraction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	sum	sum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	8	advmod	_	_
7	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	take	take	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
9	away	away	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a subtraction | one sum |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **take away** | present | you |  |  |  |  | away *property* | vn remove-10.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"do these ten subtractions".

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:m2e:1
# text = "do these ten subtractions".
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	do	do	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	these	this	DET	DT	Number=Plur|PronType=Dem	5	det	_	_
4	ten	ten	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	subtractions	subtraction	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **do** *in a quote* | imperative | you *not said here* | this ten subtractions |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent subtraction=Eventuality |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Subtraction is the opposite of addition.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:x1:1
# text = Subtraction is the opposite of addition.
1	Subtraction	subtraction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	opposite	opposite	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	addition	addition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Subtraction | the opposite |  |  |  | of addition | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
15 − 6 = 9 is a subtraction.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:x2:1
# text = 15 − 6 = 9 is a subtraction.
1	15	15	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	8	nsubj	_	_
2	−	−	SYM	SYM	_	3	case	_	_
3	6	6	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	1	nmod	_	_
4	=	=	SYM	SYM	_	5	case	_	_
5	9	9	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	1	nmod	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	subtraction	subtraction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | 15 − 6 = 9 | a subtraction |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I had 10 sweets and ate 3; subtraction tells me 7 are left.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:x3:1
# text = I had 10 sweets and ate 3; subtraction tells me 7 are left.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	10	10	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
4	sweets	sweet	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	ate	eat	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
7	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	10	punct	_	_
9	subtraction	subtraction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
10	tells	tell	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
11	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	10	iobj	_	_
12	7	7	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	14	nsubj:pass	_	_
13	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	14	aux:pass	_	_
14	left	leave	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	10	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | past | I | 10 sweets |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent sweet=Patient |
| 2 | **eat** | past | I *not said here* | 3 |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent 3=Patient |
| 3 | **tell** *speech: assert* | present | subtraction |  | me |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent i=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 4 | **leave** | present · passive |  | 7 |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We practised column subtraction today.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:x4:1
# text = We practised column subtraction today.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	practised	practise	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	column	column	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	subtraction	subtraction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	today	today	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **practise** | past | We | column subtraction |  |  | today |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
What is the difference between 20 and 12? Use subtraction: 8.

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* What is the difference between 20 and 12?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:x5:1
# text = What is the difference between 20 and 12?
1	What	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	difference	difference	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	between	between	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	20	20	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	nmod	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	12	12	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | the difference |  |  |  | between 20 | tree rules |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* Use subtraction: 8.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:x5:2
# text = Use subtraction: 8.
1	Use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	subtraction	subtraction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	4	punct	_	_
4	8	8	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	2	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | imperative | you *not said here* | subtraction |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent subtraction=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Check your subtraction by adding the answer back.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:x6:1
# text = Check your subtraction by adding the answer back.
1	Check	check	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	subtraction	subtraction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	adding	add	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	1	advcl	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	back	back	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **check** | imperative | you *not said here* | your subtraction |  |  |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent subtraction=Theme |
| 2 | **add back** *speech: assert* | gerund | you *not said here* | the answer |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent answer=Patient |
| 3 | **subtract** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom subtraction «act transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The change from 5 dollars after spending 3 dollars 40 is found by subtraction.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:subtraction:x7:1
# text = The change from 5 dollars after spending 3 dollars 40 is found by subtraction.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	change	change	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	from	from	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	5	5	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	dollars	dollar	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nmod	_	_
6	after	after	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	spending	spend	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
8	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
9	dollars	dollar	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	_
10	40	40	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	flat	_	_
11	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	aux:pass	_	_
12	found	find	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
13	by	by	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	subtraction	subtraction	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	12	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **spend** | gerund | 5 dollars *not said here* | 3 dollars |  |  |  |  | vn consume-66-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent dollar=Asset |
| 2 | **find** | present · passive | subtraction | the change from 5 dollars |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent subject=Topic |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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