designed to sway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to sway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is intended to influence or persuade someone or a group of people. Example: "The advertisement was designed to sway public opinion in favor of the new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The statue, designed to sway in the wind, was unharmed.

The New York Times

The bridge's concrete piers are designed to sway as well, limiting damage to areas with extra steel reinforcing.

The New York Times - Science

Much of the Tree Top Way is made from local green oak and, in case you were wondering, was designed to sway and bounce!

The Guardian - Travel

Joey Pigza is an authentic character, not some cartoon designed to sway support for what may or may not be a psychiatric fad.

The New York Times - Books

The ASA said it is powerless to act against any of the campaigns, even though their unvetted claims are specifically designed to sway and influence voters, as political advertising doesn't fall within the regulator's remit.

The Guardian

Katniss's PR man, Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman, in his final role), coaches her in the art of "Propos" – propaganda designed to sway the hearts and minds of the people.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

While the structure is over 85 feet high, it's designed to gently sway underwater – and, in the process, harvest the energy that flows through it.

The Guardian

Advances in natural-language processing and data mining make it entirely feasible to mint millions of "social bots," each establishing online friendships with their targets like virtual con men, each building trust over time and delivering personalized messages designed to elicit information, sway opinion or call to action.

The New York Times - Science

The recent reorganisation of Downing Street was partly designed to strengthen his sway over the machine.

The Economist

The roller is also designed to sense the sway of the frame that acts as the guide rail of the roller.

Energy Conversion and Management

Still, the Times noted that the quake "was so powerful that buildings in central Tokyo, designed to withstand major earthquakes, swayed".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "designed to sway", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being influenced and the intended outcome. This improves clarity and strengthens your message.

Common error

Avoid using "designed to sway" when the actual influence is minimal or uncertain. Overstating the intended impact can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to sway" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intended effect or goal of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the structure suggests that something has been intentionally created to influence or alter a particular outcome or opinion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "designed to sway" functions as a purpose connector, commonly used to describe something created with the intent to influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news, media, and scientific publications. While "designed to sway" is considered neutral in register, it's important to consider context and audience when choosing alternatives such as "intended to influence" or "meant to persuade" for nuances in meaning. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is being influenced to maintain effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to influence

Focuses on the aim of affecting something without specifying the method as directly as "sway".

meant to persuade

Highlights the intention of convincing someone, similar to swaying their opinion.

created to impact

Emphasizes the creation process and the intended effect, rather than a subtle influence.

engineered to affect

Suggests a more technical or precise design with the goal of producing a specific change.

fashioned to manipulate

Indicates a more forceful or deceptive approach to influence.

structured to guide

Implies a deliberate arrangement to lead or direct something.

developed to control

Suggests a higher degree of influence, aiming to manage or regulate something.

purposely built to alter

Highlights the deliberate construction with the intent of changing something.

specifically made to shift

Focuses on a precise alteration or movement intended by the design.

intentionally shaped to affect

Emphasizes the deliberate shaping or formation with a clear intention to produce an effect.

FAQs

How can I use "designed to sway" in a sentence?

You can use "designed to sway" to describe something created with the intention of influencing opinions, beliefs, or decisions. For example, "The marketing campaign was "designed to sway" voters."

What is a good alternative to "designed to sway"?

Alternatives include "intended to influence", "meant to persuade", or "created to impact", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "designed to sway" formal or informal?

"Designed to sway" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the audience and choose a more precise alternative like "engineered to affect" for technical contexts.

What's the difference between "designed to sway" and "designed to manipulate"?

"Designed to sway" implies a more subtle or persuasive influence, whereas "designed to manipulate" suggests a more forceful or potentially deceptive approach. The choice depends on the ethical implications you want to convey.