manipulate emotions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manipulate emotions" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in contexts where you want to express the idea of manipulating or controlling someone's emotions. For example: "The advertisement was designed to manipulate emotions and make people more likely to purchase the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That's why a good start would be for companies running significant tests that manipulate emotions to offer at least an opt out.

TechCrunch

Both used history and religion to manipulate emotions.

Huffington Post

Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale, a member of the Cullen family who can manipulate emotions.

Wikipedia

To be honest--trust me, I'm not putting on humility to manipulate emotions, but I wouldn't have been up to the task then.

Huffington Post

As film scores are used to manipulate emotions as often as to inform the audience, Burwell approaches his vocation as dynamic, transitional.

Huffington Post

We are learning that when we manipulate emotions too much with conscious cognitive control, either through cultural training or an individual pattern of suppression, we set up unhealthy patterns in the brain.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Your conduct has been punctuated by collapses and shows of distress designed to evoke sympathy where none is merited, designed to manipulate emotion.

The Guardian

It is customary to describe film directors who keep a tight rein on their audience's responses, who coldly and meticulously manipulate emotion, as sadists.

The New York Times

Mailer wrote in Marilyn: "Factoids … that is, facts which have no existence before appearing in a magazine or newspaper, creations which are not so much lies as a product to manipulate emotion in the Silent Majority".

The Guardian - Books

Which leads us to think that it's just another campaign to manipulate emotion and lacks true authenticity.

Huffington Post

If you really want to overcome that, you have to become sophisticated about how experts manipulate emotion.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics, use "manipulate emotions" with caution as it can carry negative connotations. Consider alternatives like "influence emotions" or "manage emotions" to soften the tone, if appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "manipulate emotions" when a more neutral term like "influence" or "affect" would be more suitable. The term implies deliberate control, which may not always be the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manipulate emotions" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It describes the act of intentionally influencing or controlling someone's feelings. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "manipulate emotions" is grammatically correct and refers to the act of intentionally influencing or controlling someone's feelings. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its use often carries negative connotations, suggesting deception or unethical behavior. As shown by Ludwig examples, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, consider the context and intended tone, and explore alternative phrases like "influence emotions" or "manage emotions" when a more neutral or positive connotation is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influence emotions

Suggests a more subtle and indirect effect on emotions.

affect emotions

Implies causing a change in emotions without necessarily controlling them.

manage emotions

Focuses on skillful handling of emotions rather than direct manipulation.

sway emotions

Emphasizes the power to shift or redirect emotional states.

control emotions

Highlights the act of restraining or governing feelings.

play on emotions

Indicates a calculated attempt to use emotions to achieve a specific outcome.

exploit emotions

Focuses on using emotions, often negatively, for personal gain.

evoke emotions

Implies bringing emotions to the surface.

stir emotions

Highlights the act of arousing strong feelings.

arouse emotions

Suggests stimulating or awakening emotions.

FAQs

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

You can use "manipulate emotions" to describe actions that deliberately influence someone's feelings. For example, "Advertisements often attempt to manipulate emotions to encourage consumers to buy products."

What's the difference between "manipulate emotions" and "influence emotions"?

"Manipulate emotions" suggests a stronger, often negative, control, while "influence emotions" implies a more subtle and potentially neutral effect.

What are some alternatives to "manipulate emotions"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "manage emotions", "affect emotions", or "play on emotions".

Is it always negative to "manipulate emotions"?

While often used negatively, describing deceptive or unethical behavior, "manipulate emotions" can sometimes be used neutrally to describe techniques used in storytelling or performance to evoke certain feelings.