Meaning & use
subtraction words
Last updated
Meaning
phraseplural
Words and expressions in a math word problem that hint that you should take one amount away from another.
Grammar: Always plural in this sense: subtraction words are clues, not a single clue.
Patterns
- subtraction words such as something
- look for subtraction words
Circle the subtraction words in each problem before you start calculating.
Left, fewer and difference are common subtraction words.
The teacher made a poster of subtraction words for the class wall.
Common combinations
- underline subtraction words
- Underline the subtraction words so you know which operation to use.
- list of subtraction words
- The worksheet includes a list of subtraction words for beginners.
- spot subtraction words
- Strong readers learn to spot subtraction words quickly.
- common subtraction words
- Minus and take away are common subtraction words.
Synonyms and how they differ
- keywords
- Keywords is broader, covering clues for any operation, while subtraction words point only to taking away.
- signal words
- Signal words can hint at addition, comparison or other operations, whereas subtraction words signal only one.
Opposites
Word family
- subtract verb
- to take one number away from another
- subtraction noun
- the operation of taking away
- subtrahend noun
- the amount being taken away
Commonly confused: subtraction words or addition words?
subtraction words vs addition words
Addition words such as total and altogether suggest joining amounts, the opposite direction from subtraction words.
Practice
Which of these is one of the subtraction words in the problem: 'Mia had 12 stickers and gave away 5. How many are left?'
Choose one answer.
Left signals that you find the remainder by subtracting. How many only asks for a quantity and does not by itself suggest subtraction.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “subtraction words”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.