trained to manipulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trained to manipulate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something has been conditioned or educated to influence or control others or situations. Example: "The software was specifically trained to manipulate user preferences for targeted advertising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She's the same age that Philip was, after all, when he was first trained to manipulate and seduce.

The New Yorker

The Magic Wand, for instance, is a tapered plastic rod with a quilted pattern on the handle and a motion sensor that can be trained to manipulate most remote-controllable devices.

The New York Times

The monkeys were trained to manipulate the joystick with their hands.

Plosone

Our results show that a species of rodent, the degu, can be trained to manipulate a rake-like tool using the forelimbs to retrieve a distant food reward.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The findings suggest that unimpaired speakers can be trained successfully to manipulate and change individual biomechanical aspects of their vocal functions as demonstrated by the visual- and auditory-perceptual judgments of expert voice clinicians.

Journal of Voice

The key difference in prior experience between rooks and NC crows seems to have been the factor that enabled rooks to spontaneously solve Aesop's fable, and since then, all other Aesop's fable experiments have deliberately trained subjects to manipulate and drop stones into tubes before running experimental tasks.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

Prof Thorne said: "When Stephen lost the use of his hands and could no longer manipulate equations on paper, he compensated by training himself to manipulate complex shapes and topologies in his mind at great speed.

Independent

We trained three monkeys to manipulate the joystick to control their trajectory across the virtual ground-plane.

Plosone

Therefore, present results suggest that changing direction during HIE, with adjusted COD running distances, might be an effective training practice to manipulate some components of the acute physiological load of HIE.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

I would hope that a university could combine both goals -- filling minds with factual material and, at the same time, training these minds to manipulate the data to arrive at some result beneficial to self and society.

The New York Times

Wrong administration technique including injectable drugs could be decrease with nurse training and awareness to manipulate injectable drugs.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trained to manipulate", consider the ethical implications of the manipulation. Ensure the context clearly defines what is being manipulated and for what purpose, as this can significantly alter the reader's perception.

Common error

Avoid using "trained to manipulate" in contexts where influence or control are necessary and ethical, such as training in negotiation or conflict resolution. Opt for less loaded phrases like "trained to manage" or "skilled in influencing" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trained to manipulate" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe someone or something that has undergone specific instruction or conditioning to exert control or influence, often in a subtle or deceptive manner. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where this phrase is used to illustrate learned behaviors aimed at influencing outcomes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trained to manipulate" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of conditioning someone or something to exert control or influence, often subtly or deceptively. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase typically carries a negative connotation, and it's important to consider the ethical implications and context when using it. Alternatives such as "coached to control" or "prepared to influence" may be more appropriate depending on the intended nuance. The usage patterns of this phrase are most prevalent in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. Overall, while the phrase is correct and usable, careful consideration should be given to its potentially negative implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

schooled in controlling

Synonymous to being trained, and the manipulation is being replaced with controlling

coached to control

Replaces "trained" with "coached" and "manipulate" with "control", slightly altering the connotation from subtle influence to direct command.

prepared to influence

Substitutes "trained" with "prepared" and "manipulate" with "influence", softening the meaning to suggest guidance rather than direct control.

instructed in swaying

Replaces "trained" with instructed" and "manipulate" with "swaying", suggesting a more subtle and indirect form of influence.

tutored in deception

Replaces "trained" with "tutored" and "manipulate" with "deception" which refers to misleading people

educated to exploit

Replaces "trained" with "educated" and "manipulate" with "exploit", changing the meaning to suggest using something unfairly for personal gain.

mentored to deceive

Replaces "trained" with "mentored" and "manipulate" with "deceive" , which refers to misleading people

groomed to exploit

Changes the context to exploitation, suggesting a systematic preparation for unfair advantage.

skilled in deception

Shifts the focus to the skill itself rather than the training, highlighting the ability to deceive.

versed in persuasion

Emphasizes proficiency in convincing others, moving away from the negative connotation of manipulation.

FAQs

How can I use "trained to manipulate" in a sentence?

You can use "trained to manipulate" to describe someone who has been specifically instructed or conditioned to influence or control a situation or person, often with a negative connotation. For example: "The spy was "trained to manipulate" information to mislead the enemy."

What are some alternatives to saying "trained to manipulate"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "coached to control", "prepared to influence", or "skilled in deception". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to say someone is "trained to manipulate"?

While the phrase "trained to manipulate" often carries a negative connotation, it's not always inherently bad. The negativity depends on the context and the purpose of the manipulation. For instance, a magician might be "trained to manipulate" objects to create illusions, which is generally harmless entertainment.

What's the difference between "trained to manipulate" and "able to influence"?

"Trained to manipulate" suggests a deliberate and potentially deceptive approach to controlling a situation or person, implying specific instruction in manipulative techniques. "Able to influence", on the other hand, suggests a more general capacity to affect outcomes or persuade others, often without the negative connotations of manipulation.