calculated by hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calculated by hand" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used in contexts where numerical calculations are involved, and emphasizes that the calculation was done manually rather than using a computer or other device. Example: The exam was challenging as no calculators were allowed and all calculations had to be done by hand.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

On the other hand, network offers the calculation of the standard error of rho, which would be very complicated if calculated by hand.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

When integrated circuits were much simpler, component values could be calculated by hand.

Britannica

Bogle calculated by hand the annual returns generated by dozens of actively-managed US equity mutual funds over the previous 30 years.

Forbes

These cannot be easily calculated by hand, and so the best way to generate them is to use the program.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Moreover, we have also emphasised that for piece-wise constant synaptic connectivities the interface approach becomes quasi-analytical, in that many of the terms required for the computation of the normal velocity of the interface can be calculated by hand rather than have to be found numerically.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Watterson's estimate of silent nucleotide diversity (theta) was calculated by hand (as described in [ 54]).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Shortly thereafter she was recruited by the U.S. Army to calculate (by hand) artillery firing trajectories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although the expectation of this inverse has a closed-form solution [ 21], it is not transparent or easy to calculate by hand.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The values of the partial derivatives (∂ t + ∂ a ) p k are calculated by the right-hand sides of the associated Eqs.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Many of the companies calculated taxes by hand or on spreadsheets; Iron Mountain automated tax estimation and payments.

Harvard Business Review

For these small trees, both EDGE and HEDGE measures can be calculated readily by hand.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "calculated by hand" to emphasize that a calculation was performed manually, especially when contrasting it with automated methods.

Common error

Don't assume readers automatically appreciate the effort involved in calculations done manually. Briefly explain why manual calculation was necessary or significant to highlight its importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calculated by hand" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a passive construction. It describes an action (calculation) performed manually. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "calculated by hand" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize that a computation was performed manually. Ludwig's analysis of various sources indicates that it's most frequently used in scientific and news contexts, highlighting situations where manual calculations are either necessary, preferred, or contrasted with automated methods. While generally neutral in tone, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "manually calculated". When using this phrase, ensure the reader understands the significance of the manual calculation in the context it's presented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manually calculated

This alternative emphasizes the manual aspect of the calculation, replacing the prepositional phrase with an adverb.

computed manually

Uses "computed" as a synonym for "calculated", maintaining the emphasis on manual execution.

hand-calculated

Forms a compound adjective, providing a more concise alternative.

figured out by hand

Replaces "calculated" with the more informal "figured out", while retaining the manual element.

worked out by hand

Uses the phrasal verb "worked out" to mean calculated, maintaining the manual context.

estimated manually

Suggests approximation rather than precise calculation done by a person.

manually derived

Emphasizes the derivation aspect of the calculation, suggesting a step-by-step manual process.

determined by manual calculation

Replaces the simple prepositional phrase with a more elaborate noun phrase.

calculated without automation

Focuses on the absence of automated tools, highlighting the manual nature of the calculation.

done by hand

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the manual execution of the task without explicitly mentioning calculation.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "calculated by hand"?

Use "calculated by hand" when you want to emphasize that a calculation was done manually, rather than using a computer or other automated tool. This is especially relevant when manual calculation is more challenging or time-consuming.

What are some alternatives to saying "calculated by hand"?

You can use alternatives like "manually calculated", "computed manually", or "figured out by hand" depending on the context.

Is "calculated by hand" formal or informal language?

"Calculated by hand" is generally considered neutral language and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might prefer "manually calculated".

Why would someone "calculate by hand" instead of using a computer?

Someone might "calculate by hand" because of restrictions (e.g., during an exam), for verification purposes, or to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying process, as one student reflected that "calculating the statistics by hand" gives them a deeper understanding.