Significantly underestimated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Significantly underestimated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or value that has been evaluated or assessed at a lower level than its actual significance or importance. Example: "The impact of climate change has been significantly underestimated by policymakers, leading to insufficient action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But BP significantly underestimated how much oil was leaking.

The Economist

That also suggests that past model-based studies likely significantly underestimated the costs of climate change.

The Guardian

Our analysis suggests that this is due to unreported Asian emissions and significantly underestimated USA emissions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This was hardly the first time that United States government forecasters significantly underestimated a storm's potential.

The New York Times - Magazine

[Economists] have significantly underestimated the potential for very negative climate impacts on the global economy.

The Guardian

Some countries, like Britain, significantly underestimated the influx that would follow.

The New York Times

Polls significantly underestimated Republican candidates in the 2013 gubernatorial election and 2014 contest for U.S. Senate.

The Washington Post

It deserves credit for admitting that ministers have previously misunderstood and significantly underestimated the probability of flooding.

The Guardian

All of the polls significantly underestimated the Tories, and they were strikingly consistent in how wrong they were.

The Guardian

On those rare occasions when economists did successfully predict recessions, they significantly underestimated the severity of the downturns.

The New York Times - Magazine

That study said the possibility of a collapsed AMOC under global warming conditions is being significantly underestimated.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significantly underestimated", ensure the context clearly indicates what was underestimated and the magnitude or impact of that underestimation. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "significantly underestimated" when the difference is marginal or insignificant. Overusing this phrase can weaken its impact and credibility. Always ensure the underestimation has a noteworthy consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly underestimated" functions as a modifier indicating the degree to which something has been undervalued. It serves to emphasize the extent of the misjudgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significantly underestimated" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the degree to which something has been undervalued. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is well-established in written English. It's frequently found in academic, scientific, and news contexts, highlighting discrepancies between initial assessments and actual values. While alternatives like "grossly undervalued" or "severely miscalculated" exist, the original phrase maintains a broad applicability and a neutral tone suitable for formal writing. When employing "significantly underestimated", clarity and contextual support are crucial to ensure the magnitude of the underestimation is evident. Overuse in insignificant scenarios should be avoided to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Underestimated to a great extent

Expands on the original phrase to emphasize the magnitude of the underestimation.

Substantially underrated

Similar to the original phrase, but emphasizes the degree of underestimation.

Grossly undervalued

Highlights a severe degree of underestimation, emphasizing the large discrepancy between actual and perceived value.

Severely miscalculated

Highlights the inaccuracy of a prior calculation or assessment.

Heavily discounted

Focuses on the reduction in perceived value, often in a quantitative sense.

Considerably downplayed

Emphasizes the act of minimizing the importance or severity of something.

Greatly belittled

Suggests that something was made to seem less impressive or important than it actually is.

Poorly assessed

Focuses on the inadequacy of the evaluation process.

Substantially minimized

Emphasizes the act of reducing something to the smallest degree possible.

Modestly appraised

Suggests the evaluation was conservative, resulting in an underestimation.

FAQs

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

You can use "significantly underestimated" to describe situations where an initial assessment was much lower than the actual value or impact. For example, "The cost of the project was "significantly underestimated", leading to budget overruns."

What are some alternatives to "significantly underestimated"?

Alternatives include "grossly undervalued", "substantially underrated", or "severely miscalculated". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "significantly underestimated" in formal writing?

Yes, "significantly underestimated" is suitable for formal writing, including academic papers, business reports, and news articles. It conveys a clear and professional message about an underestimation.

What is the difference between "underestimated" and "significantly underestimated"?

"Underestimated" simply means that something was assessed at a lower level than its actual value. "Significantly underestimated" emphasizes that the degree of underestimation was substantial and impactful.