manipulate data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'manipulate data' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the manipulation of digital or numerical data, usually with the intent of processing or analyzing it in some form. For example, "The programmer was able to manipulate the data to extract the desired information they needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is confusion over who can amass and manipulate data in the public and private sphere.

The Guardian - Opinion

We do not manipulate data so that our health plan clients can justify lower payment rates.

The New York Times

He said "we would never select or manipulate data in order to arrive at some preconceived or unrepresentative result".

The Guardian

The Food and Drug Administration warned the company in 1995 not to manipulate data to show positive results.

The New York Times

In this chapter, we consider a suite of techniques process and manipulate data streams.

University of California, Berkeley

Most logic about how to represent and manipulate data is expressed within class declarations.

University of California, Berkeley

"There's a huge appetite to manipulate data in ways that are relevant to making everyday decisions," Gorman said.

The Washington Post

This software layer will, however, offer new ways for a malicious network operator to snoop on and manipulate data.

MIT Technology Review

Who better to manipulate data in support of a particular point of view than a professional statistician?

The Guardian - Books

They didn't create the data – so they manipulate data without even recognizing that it is a proxy for reality.

Harvard Business Review

Web Matrix offers a range of objects to display and manipulate data from a database.

Introduction to Web Matrix ASP.NET Development for Beginners

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "manipulate data", ensure the context clarifies the purpose and ethical implications of the manipulation, as it can sometimes carry a negative connotation depending on the field.

Common error

Avoid using "manipulate data" without specifying the type of manipulation or the goal. Vague usage can lead to confusion or suspicion, especially in sensitive areas like research or finance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manipulate data" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "manipulate" is the verb and "data" is the direct object. It describes an action performed on data, as supported by Ludwig examples showing various contexts of use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "manipulate data" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the processing and transformation of data. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally acceptable and widely used across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. While "manipulate data" is often neutral, it's vital to provide context to prevent any ambiguity related to the intended use. Alternatives like "process data" or "analyze data" can offer more specific connotations depending on the situation. Remember, clarity and ethical considerations are key when discussing data manipulation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

process data

Focuses on the steps taken to transform data, emphasizing a structured approach.

analyze data

Emphasizes the examination of data to draw conclusions or insights.

transform data

Highlights the act of changing the form or structure of data.

handle data

A more general term for managing or dealing with data.

work with data

Indicates an active engagement with data, often in a practical sense.

massage data

Implies a gentle refining or adjustment of data, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation.

mine data

Suggests extracting valuable information from a large dataset.

exploit data

This alternative suggest using the data to its full advantage, but has a more intense undertone.

rearrange data

Highlights a change to organization without otherwise altering the data.

modify data

Suggests changing the data and it's original format.

FAQs

How can I use "manipulate data" in a sentence?

You can use "manipulate data" to describe the process of handling and transforming data for analysis or other purposes. For example, "The programmer was able to "manipulate data" to extract the desired information".

What are some alternatives to "manipulate data"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "process data", "analyze data", or "transform data".

Is it correct to say "manipulate with data"?

While grammatically sound, "manipulate with data" is less common than "manipulate data". The latter is more direct and idiomatic, generally preferred in most contexts.

What is the difference between "manipulate data" and "massage data"?

"Manipulate data" is a neutral term for processing data. "Massage data", on the other hand, often implies a more subtle or even deceptive alteration of data to achieve a desired result. Use "massage data" with caution.