---
title: "subtract(_:)"
framework: swift
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "swift/set/subtract(_:)-7cd3y"
---

# subtract(_:)

Removes the elements of the given sequence from the set.

## Declaration

```swift
mutating func subtract<S>(_ other: S) where Element == S.Element, S : Sequence
```

## Parameters

- `other`: A sequence of elements. other must be finite.

## Discussion

Discussion In the following example, the elements of the employees set that are also elements of the neighbors array are removed. In particular, the names "Bethany" and "Eric" are removed from employees. var employees: Set = ["Alicia", "Bethany", "Chris", "Diana", "Eric"] let neighbors = ["Bethany", "Eric", "Forlani", "Greta"] employees.subtract(neighbors) print(employees) // Prints "["Chris", "Diana", "Alicia"]"

## See Also

### Combining Sets

- [union(_:)](swift/set/union(_:).md)
- [formUnion(_:)](swift/set/formunion(_:).md)
- [intersection(_:)](swift/set/intersection(_:)-1zh8f.md)
- [intersection(_:)](swift/set/intersection(_:)-6uts9.md)
- [formIntersection(_:)](swift/set/formintersection(_:).md)
- [symmetricDifference(_:)](swift/set/symmetricdifference(_:).md)
- [formSymmetricDifference(_:)](swift/set/formsymmetricdifference(_:)-22p0m.md)
- [formSymmetricDifference(_:)](swift/set/formsymmetricdifference(_:)-5u38b.md)
- [subtract(_:)](swift/set/subtract(_:)-8gc48.md)
- [subtracting(_:)](swift/set/subtracting(_:)-3n4lc.md)
- [subtracting(_:)](swift/set/subtracting(_:)-2qge3.md)