machination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "machination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a plot or scheme, often with a negative connotation, typically involving deceit or manipulation. Example: "The villain's machination was uncovered just in time to save the city from disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

I walked and I walked, I dug through the archives, listened to a thousand stories about Canberra – that stage for national debate, machination, intrigue and domestic life – and I thought "maybe if I just... ....... "There is no room for the novelist to exercise imagination".

The Guardian - Books

Mariss Jansons has campaigned for a new hall in Munich for his Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra for over a decade - a project that is now in jeopardy, thanks to the latest machination of Munich-based politics (as Jens F. Laurson reports here).

The Guardian - Music

If they happen to loathe the most modern of modern music, they would do well to take earplugs too.That, at least, is the lesson to be drawn from the Salzburg season that closed on August 29th after five exhausting weeks of glory, oddity and near-disaster, all set against a swirl of machination complex even for intrigue-ridden Austria.

The Economist

AFTER months of rumour and machination, Yasuo Fukuda, Japan's prime minister, finally reshuffled his cabinet on August 1st, replacing 13 of the 17 ministers.

The Economist

Passed-over Tory backbenchers denounce the prime minister without reservation, but the chancellor nervously.Diagnosing politics as endless machination, Mr Osborne represents for many observers what is most frustrating about a Tory operation dominated by clever but shallow careerists.

The Economist

What is absolutely certain is that the election will involve both chaos and machination, not least in the efforts of the old guard politicians to blunt the rising popularity of Imran Khan (pictured), who has transformed himself from a cricketing star into a crusader against corruption (and, especially, against the government's acquiescence to American drone attacks on Pakistani Taliban).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

In 1494 the political machinations of Ludovico Sforza played a part in causing a French invasion of Italy that turned priorities upside down.

The Guardian - Arts

He comes across as this romantic balladeer, and you can't imagine him knowing about the machinations of the record company or how to place a song with an artist, but he's obviously very savvy.

The Guardian - Music

Like Goodsell he is committed to bringing as much rigour and scientific detail as possible to his depictions of the machinations of life.

The Guardian

In itself that represented little surprise: buck-passing and poor leadership, if not a lack of it altogether, has been glaring over a summer in which Rangers' demise triggered schisms and machinations.

The Guardian - Sport

They lay bare at least some of Washington's "cynical" and "unscrupulous" diplomatic machinations (although the state department's "front office" mischief is mild compared to the "back room" operations of the CIA and other covert forces).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "machination" when you want to emphasize the complexity and cunning involved in a plan, especially one designed for evil or manipulation.

Common error

Avoid using "machination" in situations where a simpler word like "plan" or "scheme" would suffice. "Machination" implies a high degree of complexity and often negative intent, so it's best reserved for situations where these qualities are truly present.

Linguistic Context

Machination primarily functions as a noun, denoting a cleverly designed plan or scheme, often with negative connotations. Ludwig AI confirms that it's commonly used to describe intricate and manipulative plots. Examples show it often appears when discussing politics, music and general intrigue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "machination" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes a cleverly designed, often deceitful scheme. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and relevance across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While interchangeable with words like "scheme" or "plot", "machination" specifically emphasizes complexity and often malicious intent. When employing "machination", consider its negative connotation and reserve it for situations where intricacy and manipulation are key elements. Common errors include overusing it in simple contexts. Remember that a more simple alternative might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scheme

"Scheme" is a more general term for a plan, which may or may not be deceitful, whereas "machination" specifically implies cunning and often malicious planning.

plot

"Plot" typically refers to a secret plan, but "machination" highlights the skillful and often manipulative execution of that plan.

conspiracy

Focuses more on secrecy and the agreement between people to act together, whereas "machination" emphasizes the planning and execution.

intrigue

"Intrigue" often involves a level of mystery and is not always inherently negative, unlike "machination", which usually implies deceit.

manipulation

"Manipulation" emphasizes the act of influencing someone, whereas "machination" emphasizes the skillful planning and execution of the manipulative strategy.

stratagem

"Stratagem" refers to a trick or plan for gaining an advantage, often in military or political contexts, while "machination" can apply to broader contexts involving complex scheming.

deception

"Deception" refers to the act of misleading someone, while "machination" refers to the strategic planning behind the deception.

artifice

"Artifice" highlights the cleverness and skill used in a plan, but doesn't necessarily imply malicious intent as strongly as "machination".

ruse

"Ruse" suggests a trick or deception, usually to mislead someone, whereas "machination" implies a more complex and strategic plan.

cabal

"Cabal" refers to a small group involved in secret plotting, whereas "machination" refers to the planning and execution of the plot itself.

FAQs

How is "machination" typically used in a sentence?

"Machination" is usually used to describe complex and often deceitful schemes or plots. For example, "The villain's "machination" was designed to overthrow the government."

What words can I use instead of "machination"?

Alternatives to "machination" include "scheme", "plot", "intrigue", "conspiracy", or "manipulation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "machination" a positive or negative word?

"Machination" typically has a negative connotation, implying cunning, deceit, and often malicious intent. It's used to describe schemes designed to achieve a harmful or unethical outcome.

What is the difference between "machination" and "strategy"?

"Strategy" refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim, whereas "machination" specifically implies a cunning or deceitful scheme. While a "strategy" can be ethical, a "machination" usually involves unethical or manipulative tactics.