I underestimated him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I underestimated him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you did not fully appreciate someone's abilities or potential. Example: "In the beginning, I underestimated him, thinking he wouldn't be able to handle the project, but he proved me wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I underestimated him, misunderstood him and failed to do him justice.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But am I underestimating him by his occasional crazy-uncle routine — e.g. revival of of the P or I clause?

The New Yorker

Every time I think I understand how bleak Matt Weiner's comedic sensibility is, I soon realize I've underestimated him.

The New York Times

"I was impressed with him in the first session and I maybe underestimated him a little bit and he put me 3-0 behind.

BBC

"I totally underestimated him," Rahman said.

The New York Times - Sports

Naturally, I'd underestimated him again.

The Guardian - Tech

He was just laughing across the table at me because I had underestimated him.

Vice

He just laughed across the table at me, because I had underestimated him.

Vice

"The beauty of Cruz is that people I think have underestimated him for his entire public career," Mr. Kuwata said.

The New York Times

You done your time on the streets, Martin!" When King turns him down, L.B.J., exasperated but also admiring, tells an aide, in language that betrays Webb's not always perfect ear for Texas idioms, "I have totally underestimated him..

The New Yorker

You done your time on the streets, Martin!" When King turns him down, L.B.J., exasperated but also admiring, tells an aide, in language that betrays Webb's not always perfect ear for Texas idioms, "I have totally underestimated him...

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I underestimated him", reflect honestly on why you initially underestimated the person. Providing context adds depth and sincerity to your statement.

Common error

While "I underestimated him" is acceptable, overuse can diminish its impact. Reserve it for situations where there was a genuine misjudgment or surprise at someone's abilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I underestimated him" functions as a declarative statement expressing a speaker's revised opinion of someone. It acknowledges a previous misjudgment about the person's abilities, qualities, or potential. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I underestimated him" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a revised opinion of someone's abilities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in diverse contexts, primarily within news and media. The phrase conveys a sense of humility and recognition, acknowledging an initial misjudgment. When employing this phrase, provide context to enhance its impact and sincerity. While highly versatile, avoid overuse to maintain its effectiveness. Consider alternatives like "I misjudged him" or "I didn't give him enough credit" for variety and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I misjudged him

This alternative implies a flawed initial assessment of the person's character or capabilities.

I underrated him

This suggests a failure to recognize his true worth or potential.

I underestimated his capabilities

Focuses specifically on underrating his skill set.

I didn't appreciate him enough

This highlights a lack of gratitude or recognition for his contributions.

I miscalculated his abilities

Focuses on an incorrect estimation of skills.

I didn't give him enough credit

Indicates a failure to acknowledge his accomplishments or talents.

I sold him short

Implies a devaluation of his skills or potential.

I thought less of him than I should have

Expresses a revised, more positive opinion.

I had a lower opinion of him than was warranted

Similar to the previous phrase, but more formal.

I was wrong about him

A general admission of error in initial assessment.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I underestimated him"?

Saying "I underestimated him" means you initially assessed someone's abilities, qualities, or potential to be lower than they actually are. It implies a revision of your opinion after observing new evidence or results.

How can I use "I underestimated him" in a sentence?

You can use "I underestimated him" to admit a previous misjudgment, like: "I underestimated him, I thought he wouldn't finish the project on time, but he surprised me."

What are some alternatives to saying "I underestimated him"?

Alternatives include: "I misjudged him", "I underrated him", or "I didn't give him enough credit depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I underestimated him" or "I overestimated him"?

Whether to use "I underestimated him" or "I overestimated him" depends on the situation. Use "I underestimated him" if you initially thought someone was less capable than they are, and use "I overestimated him" if you thought they were more capable.