a grave underestimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave underestimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the estimation of something is significantly lower than the actual value or importance. Example: "The report provided a grave underestimate of the project's costs, leading to budget overruns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The number of photos posted from the museum that day was more than 300 – and that figure counts only those images affixed with MoMA's geotag, and thus could be a grave underestimate.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But he underestimates a grave risk: that a legal fight will prove a feast for the company's competitors, even if it lasts only a few weeks.

The Economist

Picking Veh, a coach who was very good at riding a wave of success but has often proved completely unable to solve problems, was a grave mistake – he has obviously underestimated just how poor the team have become in relation to their rivals.

The Guardian - Sport

Former officials of the Clinton White House's counterterrorism team who left their posts well before Sept. 11, they shared the frustration of watching a grave threat evolve that even many White House officials often misunderstood and underestimated.

The New York Times - Books

This is a grave error.

Forbes

This is a grave matter".

The New York Times

That's not a grave".

The New Yorker

"A travesty, a grave crime," he splutters.

The Economist

A distraught woman points at a grave.

The Guardian - Arts

A grave crime called for grave punishment..

The Guardian

"A grave injustice has been done.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a grave underestimate", ensure the context clearly conveys the significant negative consequences arising from the underestimation. Highlight the actual, larger impact to emphasize the gravity of the error.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave underestimate" when the situation is not truly serious or impactful. Save it for situations where the underestimation leads to significant negative outcomes, to maintain its intended effect. Using weaker versions may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

A grave underestimate" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes something inaccurately predicted or assessed, which is more serious than thought initially. Ludwig AI validates this functionality.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a grave underestimate" is grammatically correct and used to highlight a significant underestimation of something, often leading to negative consequences. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's relatively rare in usage. The phrase is most commonly found in news, business, and academic contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure that the situation truly warrants the emphasis on severity, as overuse in minor situations can dilute its impact. Alternatives include ""a serious underestimation"" or ""a significant miscalculation"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious underestimation

Replaces "grave" with "serious", slightly reducing the sense of severity.

a significant miscalculation

Shifts the focus from the act of underestimating to the result, which is an incorrect calculation.

a gross misjudgment

Emphasizes the poor judgment involved in making the underestimation.

a vast undervaluation

Focuses on the act of undervaluing something, either literally or figuratively.

a considerable oversimplification

Highlights the act of making something too simple, leading to an inaccurate assessment.

a major misreading

Implies a faulty interpretation of a situation or data, leading to an underestimation of its true nature.

a severe underappreciation

Focuses on the lack of appreciation for the true value or importance of something.

a radical discounting

Emphasizes the extent to which something has been devalued or dismissed.

a critical oversight

Highlights the failure to notice or consider something important, leading to an underestimation of its significance.

a fundamental flaw in assessment

Points to a basic problem in the way something was evaluated, resulting in an underestimation.

FAQs

How can I use "a grave underestimate" in a sentence?

You can use "a grave underestimate" to describe a situation where something is significantly more important, larger, or dangerous than initially perceived. For example, "The initial cost estimates were a grave underestimate, leading to significant budget overruns."

What's a good alternative to "a grave underestimate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a serious underestimation", "a significant miscalculation", or "a gross misjudgment".

Is it always appropriate to use "a grave underestimate"?

No, "a grave underestimate" implies a serious situation. If the underestimation doesn't have significant negative consequences, a less severe phrase might be more suitable.

What makes "a grave underestimate" different from a regular underestimate?

The word "grave" emphasizes the serious nature of the error. It suggests that the underestimate has significant negative repercussions, unlike a simple miscalculation.