they calculated that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they calculated that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing findings, estimates, or conclusions derived from mathematical or analytical processes. Example: "After analyzing the data, they calculated that the project would take an additional three months to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They calculated that zero tolerance would head off an escalation.

The New York Times

They calculated that babies were 40 times as likely to suffocate in beds as in cribs.

The New York Times - Health

They calculated that he had an 80percentt chance of dying within a month.

The New York Times

They calculated that the economic toll, meanwhile, was tens of billions each year.

The Washington Post

They calculated that renovating the 30 stations most desperately in need would run $14 billion.

The New York Times - Magazine

Taking this information into account, they calculated that the ancient cricket produced chirps lasting 16 milliseconds.

The Guardian

They calculated that alcohol causes 3.5% of U.S. cancer deaths, or about 20,000 cancer-related deaths each year.

Harvard University

Antihydrogen did not behave weirdly, so they calculated that it cannot be more than 110 times heavier than hydrogen.

University of California, Berkeley

At that rate, they calculated that some local populations would be effectively extinct in four salmon generations, about eight years.

The New York Times - Science

Still, they calculated that their weekend grocery bill was at least 30percentt higher than in Pennsylvania.

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps they calculated that winning health care would strengthen them for climate change, like Popeye after a helping of spinach.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they calculated that" to introduce a specific numerical result or outcome derived from a quantifiable process, avoiding vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "they calculated that" when the result is based on a rough estimate or approximation. Instead, use phrases like "they estimated" or "they guessed" to reflect the level of accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they calculated that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement that results from a computational or analytical process. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a common way to present findings based on data, seen across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they calculated that" is a widely used phrase to introduce a finding derived from a calculation. It is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English and effectively conveys objective, data-driven conclusions. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the claim of a precise calculation rather than a rough estimate. While alternatives like "they estimated that" or "they determined that" exist, "they calculated that" is particularly suited for conveying quantified results with credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they estimated that

Replaces "calculated" with "estimated", implying a less precise determination.

they determined that

Substitutes "calculated" with "determined", suggesting a conclusion reached after consideration.

they figured out that

Uses the informal "figured out" instead of "calculated", making it less formal.

their calculations showed that

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the calculations themselves leading to the result.

it was their assessment that

Changes the focus to their overall assessment, implying a broader evaluation.

they predicted that

Replaces "calculated" with "predicted", indicating a forecast or expectation.

they projected that

Uses "projected" instead of "calculated", suggesting an extrapolation of existing data.

they concluded that

Emphasizes the final conclusion reached after a process of reasoning.

they anticipated that

Shifts the meaning to anticipation or expectation rather than a precise calculation.

their analysis indicated that

Focuses on the analysis process leading to a particular indication or result.

FAQs

How can I use "they calculated that" in a sentence?

Use "they calculated that" to introduce a conclusion derived from a specific calculation. For example, "They calculated that the project would be completed by the end of the year".

What are some alternatives to "they calculated that"?

You can use alternatives like "they estimated that", "they determined that", or "they figured out that" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "they calculated that" in formal writing?

Yes, "they calculated that" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when presenting results from research, analysis, or data-driven decision-making. It indicates a precise and methodical approach.

What's the difference between "they calculated that" and "they estimated that"?

"They calculated that" implies a precise computation, while "they estimated that" suggests an approximate or judgmental assessment. Use "calculated" when you have specific data and methods, and "estimated" when you're making an informed guess.