calculated to influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calculated to influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions or statements that are intentionally designed to affect someone's thoughts, feelings, or decisions. Example: "The advertisement was calculated to influence consumer behavior by appealing to their emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The timing of the report seemed calculated to influence contract negotiations under way between the Giuliani administration and the Board of Education and the United Federation of Teachers.

The New York Times

Three of the essays appeared in these pages, and we can testify that they were deliberately calculated to influence the soldier vote.

The New Yorker

"This court has found that the defendant's attack on Officer Pepe was calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion, and was also calculated to retaliate against government conduct," she wrote.

The New York Times

And what they say -- some of it gloomy, some of it upbeat, and all of it calculated to influence opinion back home in the Middle East -- is that it is still too early to tell whether there will be an agreement at all or, if there is one, what kind of agreement it will be.

The New York Times

In January 1594, Napier addressed to the King a letter that forms the dedication of his Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of Saint John, a work that, while it professed to be of a strictly scholarly character, was calculated to influence contemporary events.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The commission said it had seen the video recordings of Mr Modi's speech and that it was evident that it was "a political speech intended and calculated to influence and affect the result of elections in the constituencies voting today".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In addition to estimates of means and prevalence, a hierarchical linear regression model was calculated to determine the influence of antepartum depression and anxiety on disability.

Johns Hopkins University

The Pearson correlation coefficient and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient were calculated to determine the influence of the above demographic, clinical and methodological variables which might confound the results for the dependent variables.

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine whether salaries influenced HWs decisions to migrate.

BMC Health Services Research

In addition, the Obama/Biden team must get out in front of this story and denounce such an attack as illegal, immoral and calculated to improperly influence the presidential elections.

Huffington Post

Robinson accused Salmond, the former SNP leader, of an "utterly calculated" attempt to influence the way he and his BBC bosses covered last year's independence referendum, after he reported on threats from the bank RBS to pull out of the country in the event of a yes vote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "calculated to influence", ensure that the context clearly indicates the intended outcome and the deliberate nature of the action. This phrase works best when you want to highlight a strategic or manipulative intent behind an action or statement.

Common error

Avoid using "calculated to influence" in situations where a more neutral phrase like "intended to inform" or "designed to assist" would be more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can introduce an unnecessary connotation of manipulation or deception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calculated to influence" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intention or aim behind an action or statement. It denotes a deliberate attempt to affect someone's thoughts, feelings, or decisions. Ludwig examples show varied uses in the contexts of politics, negotiations, and social marketing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "calculated to influence" serves as a purpose connector, highlighting the intentionality behind actions or statements designed to sway opinions or behaviors. Ludwig's analysis, supported by real-world examples, demonstrates its usage across various contexts, including news media, science, and encyclopedias. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone and, according to Ludwig AI, is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While it can imply manipulation, its overall interpretation depends on the context. When using it, ensure that the strategic intent is clear and that the connotation aligns with the desired message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to affect

Focuses on the intention behind the action, similar to "calculated", but uses a more direct verb.

designed to sway

Emphasizes the deliberate design to change someone's opinion or action.

aimed at persuading

Specifies persuasion as the goal of the influence.

meant to manipulate

Highlights the manipulative aspect of influencing, suggesting a potentially negative connotation.

geared towards affecting

Suggests a specific targeting or alignment towards producing an effect.

crafted to shape

Implies a careful and deliberate construction with the purpose of influencing.

engineered to impact

Conveys a precise and systematic approach to creating an impact.

formulated to guide

Indicates a structured approach designed to direct or lead someone's actions.

predetermined to control

Highlights the pre-planned nature of the attempt to exert control.

orchestrated to direct

Suggests a complex and coordinated effort to guide events or decisions.

FAQs

How can I use "calculated to influence" in a sentence?

Use "calculated to influence" when you want to emphasize that an action, statement, or strategy was intentionally designed to affect someone's decisions, opinions, or behaviors. For example: "The marketing campaign was "calculated to influence" consumer spending during the holiday season."

What are some alternatives to "calculated to influence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "intended to affect", "designed to sway", or "aimed at persuading". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "calculated to influence" always negative?

While "calculated to influence" can carry a negative connotation, particularly when implying manipulation, it is not inherently negative. It simply denotes a deliberate intention to affect an outcome. Whether it is perceived as negative depends on the context and the ethics of the influencing action.

What is the difference between "calculated to influence" and "intended to influence"?

"Calculated to influence" suggests a more strategic and deliberate approach, implying that careful planning and consideration went into the effort. "Intended to influence" is a more general phrase that simply means the purpose was to have an effect.