manually

USAGE SUMMARY

"manually" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb that means "by hand" or "not using automated processes." For example, "We manually completed the task instead of using a machine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So now, the only way to smartify those quotes… is to manually search for a single or double quote and then retype it.

The Guardian - Tech

Rather than manually selecting what you want to download, there is one button that allows you to download your homescreen and your favourites.

The Guardian

To this day, when using their online "food tracker", I manually score apples one point, just to spite them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It needs to be set up manually, there are many tools (some say too many) and some distractions (like the Chrome Store).

The Guardian

"We've made valuable improvements to Autographer, including greater control of image capture frequency, improved functionality, the option to take pictures manually and an indicator displaying when images are captured".

The Guardian - Tech

Tracks can be found manually, or via a spoken request for a track or artist to Siri.

The Guardian - Tech

Of course, those email updates are opt-in, requiring users to explicitly state that they want to be included, and they're carefully and manually put together.

The Guardian - Tech

You physically make a box and you have to manually open a shutter to let light hit the film.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Manually check that the door is locked and do not leave valuables in view inside the car.

The Guardian - Tech

Grown from volcanic soil and tended manually, with the help of a horse, the grapes are left to ferment in giant amphorae half-buried in the ground.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Libin says that he sees Evernote's search feature almost as a sign of failure: that if people have to manually search for something, it shows that "we haven't succeeded at a few other things before that moment" in terms of surfacing useful information.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "manually" to emphasize that a task requires direct human intervention, especially when contrasting it with automated processes.

Common error

Avoid using "manually" when a more specific term like "hand-operated" or "personally configured" would provide clearer technical detail.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "manually" functions to modify verbs, indicating that an action is performed by hand or without automated assistance. Ludwig confirms that "manually" is used to describe how something is done, as seen in examples like "manually open a shutter" or "manually compiling lists".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "manually" is a commonly used adverb that means "by hand" or "without automation". Ludwig’s analysis indicates that it functions to modify verbs, highlighting human involvement in a process. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It appears frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. When using "manually", ensure it effectively contrasts with automated methods and consider more specific terms for technical clarity. The term "manually" has a neutral tone and can be used in different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by hand

Focuses on the physical act of performing something without assistance or automation.

unaided

Emphasizes the lack of external help or assistance in carrying out a task.

without automation

Highlights the absence of automated systems or processes in completing an action.

by human power

Stresses the use of physical effort rather than mechanical or electronic means.

handcrafted

Implies a careful and deliberate process of creation using manual skills.

personally

Emphasizes individual involvement and direct action without intermediaries.

through human intervention

Highlights the necessity of human involvement to achieve a certain action.

by manual operation

Refers to something controlled directly, not by computer or machine.

human-operated

Indicates machinery or tools directly controlled by a person.

man-made

Focuses on the fact that an object or system was created or constructed by people, not naturally.

FAQs

How can I use "manually" in a sentence?

Use "manually" to describe an action performed by hand or without automated systems. For instance, "The data was "manually" entered into the spreadsheet".

What are some alternatives to saying "manually"?

You can use alternatives like "by hand", "unaided", or "without automation" depending on the context.

Is it better to perform tasks "manually" or automatically?

It depends on the task. Some tasks benefit from the precision and efficiency of automation, while others require the nuanced judgment of "manually" executed actions.

What does it mean when something is done "manually"?

When something is done "manually", it means it is performed by a person using their hands or physical effort, rather than being done by a machine or automated system.