I estimate that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I estimate that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an opinion or guess about something. For example: I estimate that the project will take two months to complete.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I estimate that community college remediation is 65% of recent high school graduates, and 30% at 4 years colleges.

Stanford University

At the end of this year, I estimate that number will rise to 13%to14%4% of all retail sales.

Forbes

I estimate that $500 is now a fair price.

The New York Times

I estimate that about a quarter of young adults fit that description.

Princeton University

However, I estimate that the average household pays about $8,000 in tax annually.

The New York Times

"I estimate that three-quarters of this community is Orthodox Jewish," Mr. Baron said.

The New York Times

I estimate that I shall be ready to pass final judgment in about 2397.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I estimate that there are between 10,000 to 15,000 same sex attracted Indigenous Australians.

The Guardian - Opinion

I estimate that next year the Chinese will get to 120,000 units.

The New York Times

I estimate that there were at least 2,000 of us.

The Guardian

I estimate that if carried out, this should do the job in about a month.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I estimate that", ensure the context provides a basis for your estimation, even if it's subjective. This adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid presenting an estimate as a definitive fact. Qualify your statement to reflect the inherent uncertainty in estimations. For example, use hedging language like "it's likely that" or "it's possible that" after "I estimate that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I estimate that" functions as a declarative expression introducing a subjective assessment or approximation. It frames the subsequent statement as a personal evaluation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI's analysis, which indicates its correct usage for expressing opinions or guesses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I estimate that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a reasoned approximation or subjective assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across reputable sources like The New York Times and Forbes make it a reliable choice. While adaptable to various contexts, it's crucial to maintain clarity and avoid overstating confidence, as this phrase implies a degree of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I would estimate that

Adds a conditional tone, implying a slightly less certain estimation.

My estimate is that

Shifts the focus to the estimate itself as a noun rather than the act of estimating.

My assessment is that

Frames the statement as a professional or considered evaluation.

In my estimation

Presents the estimate as a formal opinion or assessment.

I figure that

Uses a more informal verb to express a similar idea of calculating or guessing.

I reckon that

Offers a more colloquial alternative, common in certain dialects.

I judge that

Suggests a more decisive and possibly subjective evaluation.

I predict that

Emphasizes the predictive aspect of the estimate, focusing on future outcomes.

I approximate that

Highlights the inexact nature of the estimation, suggesting it's not precise.

I surmise that

Indicates a conclusion based on limited evidence or guesswork.

FAQs

How can I use "I estimate that" in a sentence?

Use "I estimate that" to introduce a calculated guess or approximate value based on available information. For example, "I estimate that the project will take six months to complete".

What can I say instead of "I estimate that"?

You can use alternatives like "I predict that", "my estimate is that", or "I would guess that" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "I estimate that" in formal writing?

"I estimate that" is appropriate in formal writing when presenting a reasoned approximation. Provide context or justification for your estimate to maintain credibility. This is especially true in scenarios where quantifiable data is not completely accessible.

Is "I estimate that" the same as "I predict that"?

While similar, "I estimate that" implies a calculation based on current data, whereas "I predict that" suggests a forecast of a future event. "I estimate the cost will be X" versus "I predict the stock will rise" are good examples.