it can be manipulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can be manipulated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability to alter, control, or influence something, such as data, systems, or materials. Example: "The software is user-friendly, but it can be manipulated to achieve more complex tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

It's impossible to overestimate the desperation that accompanies couples through a clinic's doors or how easily, even unintentionally, it can be manipulated.

The New York Times - Magazine

Recently, the effort has begun to bear fruit, producing a steady stream of studies indicating that the rate of aging is plastic, not fixed, and that it can be manipulated.

The New York Times - Health

"Venus in Fur" amplified it by highlighting a corollary theme that often emerges organically in plays presenting us with just two people onstage: the question of who holds power over whom, and how it can be manipulated.

The New York Times

And the pledge to ensure parents can "easily understand how to get a place at their local school" betrays a thorough misunderstanding of how complex this process is, how cleverly it can be manipulated, and how much worse it will be in a fully academised system.

The Guardian

Though she uses a range of mediums from acrylic to printmaking, Pelto enjoys working with watercolor because of the fact that "it can be manipulated in so many interesting ways with only water," as she tells The Creators Project.

Vice

Instead of controlling its warlord proxies, Washington is discovering that it can be manipulated by them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

"It can be David and Goliath, and David can occasionally have an impact".

The New York Times

"Our support is about as good as it can be," Dixon said.

The New York Times - Sports

"They're not old enough to really realize how fleeting it can be," Showalter said.

The New York Times - Sports

"When your own children are ill, you realise how disempowering it can be," Menson says.

The Guardian

When she's not around, it can be Pot Noodles and chocolate and takeaways.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it can be manipulated", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject being manipulated.

Common error

Avoid using "it can be manipulated" without providing specific details about how the manipulation occurs. General statements lack credibility without supporting information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be manipulated" functions as a descriptor, indicating the capability of something to be altered or controlled. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it can be manipulated" is a versatile expression used to indicate the susceptibility of something to alteration or control. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears across various domains including news, science, and business. The analysis reveals that the phrase serves to inform or caution about potential influence. When using this phrase, it is best to specify what "it" refers to and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternative phrases such as "it can be altered" or "it can be controlled" provide similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can be controlled

This focuses on having power over something.

it can be modified

This alternative is a direct synonym, focusing on making changes.

it can be altered

This emphasizes changing the form or nature of something.

it is susceptible to manipulation

This alternative emphasizes vulnerability to being controlled.

it's easily influenced

This highlights the ease of affecting something.

it's amenable to adjustment

This highlights the ease with which something can be modified.

it can be shaped

This suggests molding or forming something to a desired state.

it's open to influence

This suggests a passive acceptance of external factors.

it is manageable

This emphasizes the ease with which it can be handled or controlled.

it's subject to change

This indicates that something is likely to be altered.

FAQs

How can I use "it can be manipulated" in a sentence?

Use "it can be manipulated" to describe something capable of being influenced or changed. For example, "The data "it can be manipulated" to show different trends."

What can I say instead of "it can be manipulated"?

Alternatives include "it can be altered", "it can be controlled", or "it is susceptible to manipulation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "it can be manipulated" or "it is manipulated"?

"It can be manipulated" implies a potential or capability, while "it is manipulated" describes a current action. The best choice depends on whether you're describing a possibility or a fact.

What's the difference between "it can be manipulated" and "it is easily influenced"?

"It can be manipulated" suggests a deliberate action to change something, while "it is easily influenced" implies a passive susceptibility to external factors. The former suggests control, while the latter suggests vulnerability.