cautious calculation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cautious calculation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a careful or deliberate approach to making a decision or assessment, often involving weighing risks and benefits. Example: "The investor's cautious calculation led to a more secure financial strategy, minimizing potential losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Maybe missionary zeal and cautious calculation can exist side by side.

The Guardian

"I think there was a very cautious calculation made by the party bosses in the Liberal Democratic Party not to disclose everything at once," said Shigenori Okazaki, an analyst at Warburg Dillon Read in Tokyo, referring to the governing party.

The New York Times

Her path will be the politician's path of cautious calculation, marred by the give and take that all but guarantees no real progress will be made on the most crucial issues.

Huffington Post

Our cautious calculation did not consider additional labour costs for IT staff needed for system maintenance.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Describes everyday cautious calculations, like which choice would be best: buying Arab-village cheese, which was a little bit cheaper, or kibbutz cheese.

The New Yorker

He should say no, and for one overriding reason: A president who has repeatedly identified climate change as one of humanity's most pressing dangers cannot in good conscience approve a project that — even by the State Department's most cautious calculations — can only add to the problem.

The New York Times

Now is the time for negotiations, the thrashing out of deals and cautious calculations to work out which parties can and cannot work together as part of a coalition.

BBC

"Realists" say the nation should base its foreign policy more on cold, cautious and conservative calculations of its interests, be judicious in its overseas deployments, and not try to promote "regime change" or remake the world in its own image.

The Guardian - Opinion

Editor of Spaceflight magazine and former Nasa scientist, David Baker, is more cautious in his calculations.

BBC

But those calculations were deliberately cautious.

The New York Times - Science

However, a member of the Shadow Cabinet and a senior backbencher both insisted that the Government's calculations were unduly cautious – they believe well over 100 of Labour's 232 MPs will vote in favour, no matter what the party's tactics.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cautious calculation", ensure the context clearly indicates both the element of careful consideration and the numerical or quantitative aspect being assessed. For instance, "The company's cautious calculation of potential market share led them to adopt a more conservative expansion strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "cautious calculation" when the assessment involves subjective judgment without a quantitative component. Opt for phrases like "careful assessment" or "prudent evaluation" if numbers are not central to the analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cautious calculation" functions as a noun phrase, where "cautious" modifies the noun "calculation". It describes a particular approach to assessing or estimating something, emphasizing care and deliberation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cautious calculation" is a grammatically sound phrase denoting a careful and deliberate assessment, often numerical in nature. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its occurrence is relatively uncommon, it finds its place in news media and scientific contexts, implying a neutral to professional register. For nuanced expression, consider alternatives like "prudent planning" or "careful deliberation". Remember, this phrase is best suited for contexts where quantification and risk mitigation are key considerations, avoiding its use in purely subjective evaluations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prudent planning

Swaps "calculation" for "planning" to focus on the preparatory aspect and "cautious" for "prudent" to highlight careful judgement.

careful deliberation

Replaces "calculation" with "deliberation" to emphasize the thoughtful consideration involved and "cautious" for "careful" which is more general.

circumspect assessment

Uses "circumspect" instead of "cautious" to convey watchfulness and replaces "calculation" with "assessment" focusing on evaluation.

judicious estimation

Substitutes "cautious" with "judicious", implying good judgement, and "calculation" with "estimation", indicating an approximate determination.

measured approach

Replaces "cautious" with "measured" to suggest a deliberate pace and replaces "calculation" with "approach" focusing on the method.

well-considered strategy

Emphasizes the strategic aspect, replacing "cautious calculation" with a focus on a thoughtful and planned approach.

conservative estimate

Focuses on a restrained or moderate approximation, replacing "cautious" with "conservative" to emphasize the lower bound of the estimate.

guarded forecast

Highlights the tentative nature of a prediction, using "guarded" to suggest a cautious outlook.

studied analysis

Emphasizes a thorough and deliberate examination, replacing "cautious" with "studied" to indicate careful attention.

realistic appraisal

Focuses on practicality and truthfulness, suggesting an objective and cautious evaluation.

FAQs

How can "cautious calculation" be used in a sentence?

"Cautious calculation" is used to describe a careful and deliberate assessment, often involving numbers or quantifiable factors. For example, "Their "cautious calculation" of the risks involved led them to reject the proposal".

What phrases are similar to "cautious calculation"?

Similar phrases include "prudent planning", "careful deliberation", or "circumspect assessment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "cautious calculation" appropriate for subjective assessments?

It's more fitting for situations involving quantifiable data or measurable outcomes. For subjective assessments, consider using terms like "careful judgment" or "considered evaluation".

What's the difference between "cautious calculation" and "conservative estimate"?

"Cautious calculation" implies a thorough and careful process of quantification, whereas "conservative estimate" suggests a deliberate choice to underestimate or err on the side of caution in a specific prediction or figure.