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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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calculates on

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calculates on" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may confuse readers; instead, consider using it in contexts where you mean to express reliance on calculations or data. Example: "The software calculates on the basis of the input data provided by the user."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

On the national equivalent vote share, which tends to be a good predictor of subsequent general elections, Labour looks likely to be one percentage point behind the Conservatives, Fisher calculates – on a par with 2011.

News & Media

The Guardian

Finally, you can browse a list of recommendations that Yahoo calculates on the songs you've rated highly using the Sansa's click wheel.

Billy turns "his head to the window to completely seal himself off," and then turns back, asking, "How many people have you disappointed?" The kid fumblingly calculates on his fingers before replying: "I'll say eight.

When he rides the train to London, he sees a man looking at a photograph of a naked woman in a tabloid newspaper and immediately calculates, on the basis of the number of newspapers that publish such pictures, "the number of British women happy to take their clothes off for money per annum".

The first thing a politician calculates, on any issue, is whether their decision will play well to their voters.

News & Media

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

During model solving, HYSYS simulation environment calculates on-line the thermo-physical properties.

Equation 4 calculates on-hand inventory of both products at the warehouse as well as Equation 5 for the unsatisfied demands.

In order to achieve that, TAPIOCA calculates on-the-fly the optimal erasure code to be used, video data unit by video data unit, under a given bitrate constraint.

Mayweather remained in control, calculated, on message.

These are calculated on Soviet output levels.

News & Media

The Economist

It is calculated on a sliding scale.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "calculates on" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives such as "calculates based on" or "calculates using".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "calculates on" due to its superficial similarity to other prepositions. Remember that "calculate" typically requires "based on" or "using" to specify the foundation of the calculation.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calculates on" is typically intended to function as a verb phrase, where "calculates" is the verb and "on" is a preposition linking the verb to a basis or condition. However, Ludwig indicates that this phrase is not correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "calculates on" might seem intuitive, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig's analysis indicates that "calculates based on" or "calculates using" are much better alternatives. Usage is rare, and while it appears in both scientific and news contexts, it's best to avoid "calculates on" in favor of more standard phrasing. Always prioritize clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "calculates on"?

Instead of "calculates on", you can use phrases like "calculates based on", "calculates using", or "computes based on" for clearer and more grammatically correct sentences.

Is "calculates on" grammatically correct?

The phrase "calculates on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It is better to use "calculates based on" or "calculates using".

How can I use "calculates based on" in a sentence?

You can say, "The software calculates the risk "based on" historical data" or "The model calculates the output "based on" user input".

What's the difference between "calculates on" and "calculates based on"?

"Calculates on" is not standard English. "Calculates based on" is the correct form, indicating that a calculation relies "based on" specific factors or data.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: