manipulating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manipulating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is skillfully handling or influencing something or someone, often with a connotation of control or alteration. Example: "The artist is manipulating the clay to create a beautiful sculpture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A crisis-hit hospital has been cleared of deliberately manipulating cancer treatment waiting times – with a review finding any failings were the result of managerial incompetence, not corruption.

The Guardian

A 36-year old trader, Navinder Singh Sarao, is challenging his extradition to the US, where he is accused of artificially manipulating the market.

The Guardian - Opinion

The force's own referral asks the IPCC to investigate whether Wright may have criminally perverted the course of justice "by manipulating the evidence to substantiate more serious charges than were evident".

The Guardian - Opinion

They hear government communications and it conjures thoughts of massaging messages, spinning statistics or manipulating media stories.

The Guardian

LaFave, 47, a teaching assistant from Michigan, grew increasingly concerned that Daynes was manipulating her son – at one stage she confronted him online – before contacting Surrey police in December 2013 over strong fears that he was being groomed and manipulated by the older man.

The Guardian

The pre-tax profits of £863m – down by £1.3bn from a year ago – were overshadowed by the £226m in fines imposed this week, including compensation to the Bank of England, which showed traders had been manipulating interest rates to cut fees for its emergency lifeline in the financial crisis.

The Guardian - Business

(2) That wasn't the only time it had ever happened, I was just really good at manipulating the people around me, telling them I was fine.

The Guardian - Music

By manipulating photons, they've discovered a way of making them react with and deflect each other, essentially forming a new type of matter.

The Guardian - Film

The banking collapse was caused, more than anything, by bad government policy and the total failure of bad regulation, rather than by greed: even if mighty politico-commercial influences pushed governments into doing what they did, that is another matter – a way of manipulating markets rather than participating properly in them – and was not the fault of the stock exchange.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, he initially sent Gehry packing, fearing the master of manipulating metal cladding "would be very expensive and that would send the wrong signal about our culture".

The Guardian - Arts

Political analysts say the government is manipulating the sodomy case to shore up its support.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions, consider whether "manipulating" accurately reflects the intent and ethical implications. If the action involves deception or unfair advantage, "exploiting" or "rigging" might be more appropriate. If it involves skillful handling without negative intent, "handling" or "shaping" could be better choices.

Common error

Avoid using "manipulating" when a more neutral term like "influencing" or "handling" would suffice, especially in contexts where the action is not inherently unethical. Overusing "manipulating" can introduce unnecessary bias or negativity into your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "manipulating" is as a present participle or gerund form of the verb "manipulate". It's used to describe an ongoing action or state, as seen in examples where someone is actively "manipulating" data, evidence, or people. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "manipulating" is a versatile verb form used to describe skillful handling or control, often with the intent of achieving a particular outcome. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, appearing frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct and widely used, "manipulating" carries potential negative connotations, especially when implying unethical control or exploitation. Therefore, it's crucial to carefully consider the context and intent when choosing this word, exploring alternatives like "influencing", "handling", or "shaping" for more neutral descriptions. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively and ethically convey their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

controlling

This term suggests direct command or regulation, implying a greater degree of authority than "manipulating".

influencing

This term implies affecting someone or something indirectly, often without overt control, a subtler approach compared to "manipulating".

handling

This suggests dealing with or managing something, often physically, with less of the potentially negative connotation of "manipulating".

shaping

Suggests forming or molding something, often with a long-term goal, which implies a creative aspect not always present in "manipulating".

orchestrating

Implies skillfully arranging or coordinating elements, often in a complex situation, emphasizing planning and execution beyond simple "manipulating".

maneuvering

This term suggests using clever or strategic tactics to gain an advantage, emphasizing strategic positioning more than direct "manipulating".

exploiting

This term carries a stronger negative connotation, suggesting using something or someone unfairly for personal gain, a more unethical sense of "manipulating".

rigging

Implies dishonestly arranging something to achieve a desired outcome, emphasizing deceit more strongly than simply "manipulating".

finessing

Suggests handling a situation with delicacy and skill to achieve a desired result, implying a refined approach to "manipulating".

manoeuvring

Similar to maneuvering, it suggests strategic movement to achieve an objective, often in competitive contexts, implying tactical awareness in "manipulating".

FAQs

How can I use "manipulating" in a sentence?

"Manipulating" is used to describe skillfully handling or controlling something. For example, "The data analyst was "manipulating" the data to identify trends" or "The politician was accused of "manipulating" public opinion."

What are some alternatives to "manipulating"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "manipulating" include "controlling", "influencing", "handling", or "shaping".

When is it appropriate to use "manipulating" instead of "influencing"?

"Manipulating" often implies a degree of control or alteration, sometimes with negative connotations, while "influencing" suggests a more subtle or indirect effect. Use "manipulating" when the action involves direct control or intentional alteration, especially if it may be perceived as unethical.

What's the difference between "manipulating" and "exploiting"?

"Manipulating" involves skillful handling or control, whereas "exploiting" suggests using something or someone unfairly for personal gain. "Exploiting" carries a stronger negative connotation of unethical or unjust use.