manipulates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manipulates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of influencing or controlling something or someone in a skillful or sometimes deceptive manner. Example: "The artist skillfully manipulates colors to create a vivid and emotional landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He documented and manipulated his world just as Gursky documents and manipulates ours.

The Economist

What lies behind China's huge trade surplusTHOSE who believe China effortlessly manipulates its statistics for political ends will be surprised by the country's new trade figures.

The Economist

It is this ambition that makes his work something more than just a breathtaking novelty, positioning it as a milestone on the road from the craft of biotechnology, which manipulates genes one at a time, to the industry of synthetic biology, which aims to make wholesale changes to living things.In this, Dr Venter seems to be going with the grain of nature, as wise gardeners do.

The Economist

Just as they used to worry that Japan's lobbyists were buying too much influence in America, so the same fears now surround China.In 1990 a best-seller called "Agents of Influence" claimed to describe "how Japan manipulates America's political and economic system".

The Economist

If Mr Maduro suspends or manipulates elections, Venezuela should be thrown out of Latin America's various clubs.The person to lead this is Brazil's Dilma Rousseff.

The Economist

Such machines would, it is thought, be capable of solving some of the problems which stump today's machines, like finding prime factors of numbers with hundreds of digits or trawling through large databases at astonishing speeds.An ordinary digital computer manipulates information in the form of bits, which take the value of either 0 or 1.

The Economist

America's bilateral trade deficit with China does not prove that Beijing manipulates its currency, as many congressmen have argued.

The Economist

President Museveni accuses Rwanda of trying to destroy Congo, and says that Rwanda manipulates and gags its rebels, and does not understand how to build support among the people.

The Economist

In the absence of any new ideology, it manipulates a story of Byzantium to justify Russia's anti-Westernism and xenophobia in a 1,000-year 1,000-year

The Economist

He bullies cabinet ministers, obsesses over headlines, leaks to and manipulates journalists, almost all of whom he viscerally loathes:Mr Blair: "God, the press will kill us for this".

The Economist

For a firm that supposedly manipulates India for its own benefit, Reliance's return on equity is mediocre at 11% after tax, it is below the company's cost of capital.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose "manipulates" when you want to emphasize the skill or ingenuity involved in influencing something, rather than simply stating a direct control.

Common error

Avoid using "manipulates" when a more neutral term like "controls" or "influences" would be more appropriate. The term can introduce an unnecessary negative connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "manipulates" is a transitive verb. It describes the action of exerting influence or control over something or someone, often in a skillful, and sometimes deceptive, manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this verb is commonly used to show agency and effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "manipulates" functions as a transitive verb with the core meaning of exerting influence or control, frequently with a nuanced connotation of skill or strategy. While grammatically correct and widely used, according to Ludwig AI, it's important to consider the context, as it can sometimes carry a negative implication. It is common in news, encyclopedic, and scientific domains, and while generally neutral in register, it can lean toward formal or professional based on the specific use case. When writing, be mindful of the ethical undertones and opt for neutral alternatives like "controls" or "influences" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

controls

Implies a more direct and overt influence, often with authority.

influences

Suggests a subtle and indirect effect on something or someone.

maneuvers

Emphasizes skillful and strategic movement to achieve a goal.

orchestrates

Suggests careful and coordinated arrangement of elements.

engineers

Highlights the technical and planned nature of the influence.

directs

Implies a clear and purposeful guidance of something.

shapes

Focuses on forming or molding something into a particular state.

governs

Suggests a formal and structured control over something.

wields

Implies the use of power or authority to control.

guides

Suggests gentle and supportive leadership.

FAQs

How to use "manipulates" in a sentence?

You can use "manipulates" to describe someone skillfully controlling a situation, like: "The politician "manipulates" public opinion through carefully crafted speeches."

What can I say instead of "manipulates"?

You can use alternatives like "controls", "influences", or "directs" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "manipulates" or "influences strongly"?

"Manipulates" often implies a skillful, sometimes underhanded control, while "influences strongly" simply indicates a significant impact. The correct choice depends on the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "manipulates" and "maneuvers"?

"Manipulates" suggests controlling something or someone, possibly deceptively, while "maneuvers" implies skillful movement or strategy to achieve a goal. "Maneuvers" doesn't necessarily have the negative connotation of "manipulates".