calculate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "calculate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb to mean "estimate or compute by mathematical methods" or "think about; consider carefully". For example: "I need to calculate the costs of the project before I make a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Calculation, Make sure Automatically is checked and calculate before save is checked.

WikiHow

(Told you it was complicated; essentially, pensions, benefits and tax credits now use a lower measure of inflation to calculate their annual increases).

The Guardian - Opinion

Bridges' quick feet and quicker mind allowed him to size up situations before defenders even knew that they existed, able to calculate exactly what needed to be done to get the ball into the net whether the ball was at his feet or someone else's.

The Guardian - Sport

Basically, it is the accrued value of all pensions that are not state basic retirement or state earning related The ONS then combine the above four categories to calculate household wealth.

The Guardian

"We want Iran to calculate what I think is a fair assessment: that if the United States extends a defence umbrella over the region, if we do even more to develop the military capacity of those [allies] in the Gulf, it is unlikely that Iran will be any stronger or safer because they won't be able to intimidate and dominate as they apparently believe they can once they have a nuclear weapon".

The Guardian

BrewDog has ridden the wave of enthusiasm for craft ales, which have taken off to the extent that the Office for National Statistics added them to the basket of goods it uses to calculate inflation.

The Guardian

Scalene triangles, on the other hand, have every side and angle different, so if you ever have to calculate their lengths and angles you're likely to want to use the the Sine Rule and the Cosine Rule (unless they happen to be right-angled scalene triangles, which obviously makes things easier).

WikiHow

In the past few weeks these projections, combined with their own polling, have led Labour strategists to calculate that seats such as Bermondsey and Old Southwark, Finchley and Golders Green, and Battersea are now in contention – and Labour's "ground war" has been intensified accordingly.

The Guardian

Other topics include how to calculate energy and nutrition values, planning meals, and diet-related health risks such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

The Guardian

We methodically calculate changes in the risk of extremes due to human factors, like greenhouse gases.

The Guardian

It needs effort to calculate the BMI from height and weight and most of us do not remember what it might have been some years ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "calculate", ensure that the context clearly indicates the method or data being used for the calculation. Providing specific details enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "calculate" when a rough estimate or educated guess is more appropriate. "Estimate" or "approximate" may be better choices if precise figures are not available.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "calculate" is as a verb. It signifies the act of determining a value or result through mathematical or logical processes. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a verb meaning either mathematical computation or careful consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "calculate" is a versatile verb used to describe the process of determining a value or outcome through mathematical or analytical methods. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies both precise computation and careful consideration. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. When choosing to use "calculate", ensure that the level of precision matches the context, and consider alternatives like "compute" or "determine" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compute

Substitute with similar mathematical connotation.

determine

Broader term indicating finding out something, not necessarily through math.

figure out

More informal way to say "calculate" or "determine".

work out

Phrasal verb meaning to solve or compute.

estimate

To roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of.

reckon

Considered as an informal term for calculating or estimating.

assess

Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of.

evaluate

To determine or fix the value or amount of.

quantify

Express or measure the quantity of.

ascertain

Find (something) out for certain; make sure of.

FAQs

How can I use "calculate" in a sentence?

You can use "calculate" to describe the process of determining something mathematically, as in "Engineers need to calculate the load-bearing capacity of the bridge".

What are some alternatives to "calculate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "compute", "determine", or "figure out".

Is it appropriate to use "calculate" in formal writing?

Yes, "calculate" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing mathematical or analytical processes. For less formal contexts, consider "work out" or "figure out".

What's the difference between "calculate" and "estimate"?

"Calculate" implies a precise, often mathematical determination, while "estimate" suggests an approximate or rough judgment. Use "calculate" when accuracy is important and "estimate" when precision is not required.