manoeuvre

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manoeuvre" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care, often in a strategic context. Example: "The driver had to manoeuvre the vehicle carefully through the narrow streets of the old town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If there is one thing that has occasionally held her back, it has been her movement, with her tall frame not always easy to manoeuvre quickly enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Devlet Bahceli, leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement party (MHP), said the controversy was a political manoeuvre devised by Erdogan to "cover up his faults", including corruption claims targeting his inner circle.

The Guardian

But the narrow nature of Mr Trimble's victory today has undoubtedly left him weakened and will give him little room for manoeuvre in any future discussions with Sinn Fein.

The Guardian

There was no mirror, signal, manoeuvre in 1882.

The Guardian

Admittedly, I see some room for manoeuvre between social classes.

The Guardian - Opinion

This month should be your restart - but it will be a very easy one, with plenty of room for manoeuvre in your sessions.

The Guardian - Sport

A further 25 additional personnel will provide training in other critical skills, including medical, equipment maintenance, manoeuvre support for bridging and crossing trenches and information operations.

The Guardian

What he and Darling really ought to focus on, given their lack of fiscal room for manoeuvre, is the banking system.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We've had to make some difficult decisions … " An aide mimed a throat slit manoeuvre and the bit about working-class criminals not being great vote-winners got faded out.

The Guardian

Amin told the Today programme: "There is no way I would have the confidence to propose such a manoeuvre to the EDL leadership.

The Guardian

Analysis Labour has given itself little room to manoeuvre on welfare, promising to keep to a national spending cap, and pledging to maintain relatively generous rises in the value of pensions – by far the biggest single area of social security spending.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "manoeuvre" when describing a skillful or strategic movement that requires careful planning and execution. It is particularly effective in military, political, or business contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "manoeuvre" to describe simple, everyday movements. Reserve it for situations where skill, strategy, or careful planning is involved. For instance, instead of saying "He manoeuvred through the crowd", consider "He moved through the crowd" if there was no particular skill or difficulty involved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "manoeuvre" is as both a verb, describing the act of skillfully directing movement, and a noun, referring to the strategic action itself. This is supported by Ludwig, which showcases examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "manoeuvre" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as both a noun and a verb, denoting strategic movement or skillful action. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication styles. While grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in place of simpler terms for everyday movements. Alternatives include "strategic move" or "room to operate", depending on the intended meaning. Ludwig's analysis validates its versatility and broad applicability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Strategic move

Focuses on the strategic aspect of "manoeuvre", highlighting planning and intention.

Tactical operation

Emphasizes the tactical nature of the action, particularly in a planned or organized context.

Clever move

Highlights the ingenuity and skill involved in the action.

Political strategy

Specifically refers to strategic actions in a political context.

Room to operate

Focuses on the freedom and space available to take action, similar to "room for manoeuvre".

Flexibility

Highlights the ability to adapt and change course, a key element of manoeuvring.

Latitude

Emphasizes the range of options and freedom of choice available.

Evasive tactic

Focuses on using "manoeuvre" to avoid or evade a situation.

Steering

Similar to using "manoeuvre" as an action of guiding or directing.

Navigating

Implies carefully guiding something through a complex situation or environment.

FAQs

How can I use "manoeuvre" in a sentence?

"Manoeuvre" can be used to describe a strategic movement, a skillful action, or having room to act. For instance, "The general planned a brilliant military manoeuvre" or "The company had little room to "manoeuvre" in the negotiations".

What are some alternatives to using the word "manoeuvre"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "strategic move", "tactical operation", or "clever move". If you're talking about freedom of action, consider "room to operate".

Is it more appropriate to use "manoeuvre" or "maneuver"?

"Manoeuvre" is the British English spelling, while "maneuver" is the American English spelling. Choose the spelling that aligns with the style guide or regional preference of your writing. They both mean the same thing.

What does it mean to have "room for manoeuvre"?

Having "room for manoeuvre" means having the flexibility or "latitude" to change plans or strategies as needed. It implies that there are options available and the ability to adapt to different situations.