a fair estimate of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fair estimate of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an approximation or assessment that is reasonable and justifiable based on available information. Example: "Based on the data collected, we can provide a fair estimate of the project's total cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Despite some limitations in methodology, COPCORD provides a fair estimate of the spectrum and extent of rheumatic MSK disorders.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology

In other cases, one must speak to academic references, review writing samples, weigh journal commitments, or evaluate the quality of the undergraduate record in order to form a fair estimate of the student's achievement and potential.

University of California, Berkeley

Signs on the Indiana Toll Road proclaim the state to be the "Main Street of the Midwest," perhaps a fair estimate of its central position in interstate transportation, whether by highway, waterway, air, or rail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here's how this argument works: Mr. Corzine has said that a fair estimate of his personal wealth was $400 million, and he had, through the May 17 preprimary reporting period, put $20,272,000 of his own money into the campaign, or about 5percentt of his personal fortune.

The New York Times

A letter from the three "wise men" appointed by the Coalition to review its costings – former head of the prime minister's department Peter Shergold, former Queensland auditor-general Len Scanlan and co-founder of Access Economics Geoff Carmody – said they were "based on reasonable assumptions and calculations" and "represent a fair estimate of the net financial impact" of the policies.

The Guardian

A comparison with recent data on liquid hold-up in co-current upflow of gas and liquid shows that the correlation proposed for high interaction downflow gives a fair estimate of the upflow data, as long as the liquid is not foaming.

Chemical Engineering Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

If tests find asymptomatic players without the disease, then the 93 percent figure would fall drastically and give a fairer estimate of a player's actual chance of having or developing it.

The New York Times - Sports

Off Wall Street estimates that 70 cents a share is a fairer estimate of OCA's true earnings for 2000.

Forbes

The answer requires a lot of guesswork, except for the very recent past; but a fair estimate for the number of people born throughout human history is 80 billion-100 billion.

The Economist

When we say that these are more than 420 in number, a fair estimate may be formed of the labour which must have been involved in their collection and classification.

Nature

I fancy that even now I can give a pretty fair estimate of it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fair estimate of", ensure that the basis for your estimation is clearly stated to enhance credibility. Provide context on how the estimate was derived and what factors were considered.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a fair estimate of" as a precise value. Acknowledge the inherent uncertainty in estimates by using qualifiers like 'approximately' or 'around'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair estimate of" functions as a qualifying phrase, used to describe a subsequent noun or noun phrase. It indicates that the noun is an approximation or assessment considered to be reasonable and unbiased. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fair estimate of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a reasonable approximation or judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is valid across various contexts, especially in scientific, news, and academic domains. When employing this phrase, clarity and justification are key; avoid overstating accuracy and clearly outline the basis for your estimation. Consider alternatives like "a reasonable approximation of" or "a just assessment of" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable approximation of

Emphasizes the sensible and justifiable nature of the approximation.

a just assessment of

Highlights the impartiality and fairness of the evaluation.

an equitable evaluation of

Focuses on the fairness and impartiality of the assessment.

an unbiased appraisal of

Stresses the lack of prejudice in the judgment.

a balanced calculation of

Suggests a consideration of all relevant factors for a neutral result.

a realistic projection of

Highlights the practicality and feasibility of the forecast.

a sound judgment regarding

Focuses on the reliability and validity of the assessment.

a credible valuation of

Emphasizes the believability and trustworthiness of the estimated value.

a representative indication of

Suggests that the estimate accurately reflects the overall situation.

a considered opinion on

Implies that the estimate has been carefully thought through.

FAQs

How can I use "a fair estimate of" in a sentence?

You can use "a fair estimate of" when you want to indicate that you are providing an approximation or assessment that is reasonable and justifiable based on the information available. For example, "Based on current market trends, a fair estimate of the property's value is $500,000".

What are some alternatives to saying "a fair estimate of"?

You can use alternatives like "a reasonable approximation of", "a just assessment of", or "an equitable evaluation of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a fair estimate of" and "a precise calculation of"?

"A fair estimate of" implies an approximation based on available data and judgment, while "a precise calculation of" suggests a more exact determination using specific formulas and data. An estimate acknowledges potential uncertainty, while a calculation aims for accuracy.

When is it appropriate to use "a fair estimate of" in formal writing?

It's appropriate to use "a fair estimate of" in formal writing when you need to provide an assessment or projection but cannot offer a precise figure. Ensure you explain the basis for your estimate and acknowledge any limitations or assumptions.