calculating

USAGE SUMMARY

"calculating" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or a person who is determinedly considering the consequences of an action or situation. For example, "The politician was calculating, carefully weighing the risks and rewards of taking the controversial stance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Calculating that two in three of 1.4 million "frontline" care workers in the UK are paid below the living wage, it reckons it would cost a cool £2.3bn a year to bring them all up to that level – not counting £142m needed to end non-compliance with the minimum wage.

The Guardian

And beyond our eastern border, Vladimir Putin is calculating his next move after the Crimean Anschluss and setting fire to eastern Ukraine.

The Guardian

They wrote: "The comparison between observation based estimates of [warming] … and model-based estimates is comparing apples and pears, as the models are calculating true global means, whereas the observations have limited coverage".

The Guardian

On 4 February, state experts responsible for calculating the fire risk realised that the numbers for that coming weekend were worse than anything they'd seen before.

The Guardian

The almost impossible task of calculating the money generated by the oldest profession is being undertaken to conform with a European edict demanding that member states declare the percentage of GDP derived from illegal activities such as the sex trade, drug and people trafficking and contraband.

The Guardian

Both sides are certainly calculating that the other will eventually blink first.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was significant because 1990 was the baseline year for calculating emissions targets.

The Guardian

For microbusinesses faced with the job of calculating myriad tax rates, the new regime is an administrative nightmare.

The Guardian - Books

There was a time when Michael Fertik wouldn't have needed to be so calculating.

The Guardian - Tech

However, the value of his share would still form part of his estate for the purposes of calculating any inheritance tax due.

The Guardian - Money

The California-based firm was last week branded devious, calculating and unethical over efforts to shelter its multibillion-pound profits from UK taxes, during a hearing before the Commons committee.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or mathematical contexts, ensure that the level of precision in your writing matches the required accuracy of the "calculating" being described. Specify methods or formulas when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "calculating" when describing emotions that are nuanced or multifaceted. It oversimplifies feelings and can make characters seem one-dimensional. Use it carefully in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "calculating" functions primarily as a present participle of the verb 'calculate', often used in progressive verb forms (e.g., 'is calculating'). It also serves as an adjective describing a person or thing with the ability to calculate, or someone who is shrewd and strategic, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "calculating" is versatile, serving as both a verb participle and an adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It can describe the action of computing or estimating, or characterize someone as shrewd and strategic. While frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts, it's important to be aware of its potential negative connotations, especially when describing personal attributes. Choosing alternative words like "strategic" or "analytical" can help avoid unintended implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

computing

Focuses more on the mathematical or technical aspect of calculation.

estimating

Implies approximation rather than precise calculation.

assessing

Emphasizes the evaluation or judgment aspect.

planning

Highlights the forward-thinking and strategic aspects of calculating.

predicting

Focuses on foretelling future outcomes based on current information.

evaluating

Emphasizes the process of determining the value or significance of something.

figuring out

An informal way of expressing the process of finding a solution or understanding something.

working out

Similar to figuring out, but may also involve a more physical process.

reckoning

A more formal or old-fashioned way of saying calculating or estimating.

forecasting

Suggests a more in-depth and professional prediction, often involving data analysis.

FAQs

How is "calculating" used as an adjective?

As an adjective, "calculating" describes someone who is shrewd and cunning, often acting in a self-serving way. For example, 'He was a "calculating businessman", always looking for an advantage'.

What are some synonyms for "calculating" when it means 'computing'?

In the context of computing, synonyms for "calculating" include "computing", figuring, or determining. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe someone as "calculating"?

While often negative, implying a cold and strategic approach, "calculating" can sometimes describe someone who is simply very thoughtful and deliberate in their actions. Context is key to its interpretation.

How do I avoid the negative connotation when using "calculating"?

To avoid the negative connotation, consider using alternative words like "strategic", "analytical", or "deliberate". These words convey thoughtfulness without necessarily implying self-interest.