calculated tactic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calculated tactic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strategy or approach that has been carefully thought out and planned in advance. Example: "The team's calculated tactic to outmaneuver their opponents paid off during the final match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In his most recent play, If Only, performed at Chichester and broadcast on Radio 4, the entire coalition government occurs while theatregoers are having their pees and ice-creams; in both The Shape of the Table and The Prisoner's Dilemma, the entrance of a play-changing character happens just before the midway lights come up, and this is a calculated tactic.

The Guardian

Feigning distraction as Johnson suggests – no doubt conflated as a tactic in Aussie minds, with Jonathan Trott's fussicking at the crease and Stuart Broad's time wasting in England – would be an unusually calculated tactic, albeit a matter for the umpires rather than bowler to adjudicate.

The Guardian - Sport

It should be seen for what it is: anti-Semitism, manifesting as a calculated tactic in the effort to delegitimize the state of Israel and the Jewish people.

Huffington Post

They read Rafsanjani's year long silence as the calculated tactic of a shrewd politician instead of the retreat of an aging and defeated mafia don preserving his seat.

The Guardian - Opinion

But beyond that the game has taken on an ugly face, so that words are no longer spoken in the heat of the moment but as a calculated tactic, with a player's perceived susceptibility to what is frequently nothing less than snarling abuse discussed and planned beforehand.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I market, promote and sell the words in these textbooks with carefully calculated tactics.

Huffington Post

Instead, they were calculated tactics to prove his loyalty to white voters, and those voters got the message.

Huffington Post

Brutalizing songs like this are not calculated scare tactics but rather the fallout from Mr. Erickson's drug use, and the electroshock therapy that followed, during the 1960s and '70s.

The New York Times

State Rep. Stan Lee (R) claimed that climate-warming trends caused by human activities -- a phenomenon backed by 97percentt of climate scientists -- are nothing more than calculated scare tactics.

Huffington Post

Many speculate that this is merely a bargaining tactic calculated to force the Europeans and the Americans to offer better terms.

The Economist

Blitzkrieg, ( German: "lightning war") military tactic calculated to create psychological shock and resultant disorganization in enemy forces through the employment of surprise, speed, and superiority in matériel or firepower.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "calculated tactic" when you want to emphasize that a strategy or action was carefully planned and not impulsive. This implies a level of foresight and intention.

Common error

Avoid using "calculated tactic" in highly informal or casual writing. Simpler terms like "plan" or "strategy" might be more appropriate in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calculated tactic" functions as a noun phrase, where "calculated" modifies the noun "tactic". It describes a specific approach or strategy that has been carefully considered and planned. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "calculated tactic" is a phrase used to describe a carefully planned strategy or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase is more common in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts, and less common in informal settings, it effectively conveys the intentionality and planning behind a specific approach. Alternatives like "deliberate strategy" or "planned approach" can be used for simpler language. When using "calculated tactic", be sure to emphasize the deliberate nature of the planning and avoid overusing it in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberate strategy

Emphasizes the intentional and thoughtful nature of the plan, differing slightly in formality.

planned approach

Highlights the preparation and design aspect, offering a less forceful tone.

strategic move

Implies a calculated action taken to achieve a specific goal.

strategic maneuver

Implies a skillful and clever action aimed at gaining an advantage.

carefully crafted plan

Focuses on the attention and detail put into developing the strategy.

considered course of action

Highlights the thoughtfulness and deliberation involved in selecting the strategy.

premeditated scheme

Suggests a more elaborate and potentially deceptive plan.

studied method

Emphasizes the careful consideration and analysis behind the chosen course of action.

intentional action

Underscores the purposefulness of the act, though less specific about the planning involved.

purposeful measure

Highlights the goal-oriented aspect of the tactic, suitable for formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "calculated tactic" in a sentence?

You can use "calculated tactic" to describe a carefully planned strategy, such as: "The company's "calculated tactic" to increase market share involved aggressive advertising and competitive pricing."

What's a more straightforward alternative to "calculated tactic"?

For simpler language, consider using phrases like "planned strategy" or "deliberate move" which convey a similar meaning without sounding overly formal.

When is it appropriate to use "calculated tactic" instead of just "tactic"?

Use "calculated tactic" when you want to emphasize that the tactic was carefully thought out and intentional, rather than a spur-of-the-moment decision. It highlights the planning and forethought involved.

What are some other phrases similar to "calculated tactic" that imply careful planning?

Alternatives include "strategic maneuver", "premeditated scheme", or "carefully crafted plan" which all suggest a degree of planning and intent.