a liberal estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a liberal estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an estimate that is generous or allows for a margin of error, often in contexts like budgeting or forecasting. Example: "The contractor provided a liberal estimate for the project costs, ensuring that we had enough funds allocated for any unexpected expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Even a liberal estimate of the prices paid suggests Leeds have made a profit on transfer dealings of at least £8m.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a liberal estimate, but let's just use it.

TechCrunch

The average user spends four hours a day creating, reading and forwarding 30 e-mails (though this is probably a liberal estimate: Most of that content gathers dust in an in-box).

Forbes

So let's say that a liberal estimate for the number of people whose job it is to listen to America in the House of Representatives is 2,610.

Huffington Post

Therefore, the existing dataset represents a liberal estimate of the actual rate of endemicity, and new data (barring the discovery of presently unknown endemic species) will weaken support for the 'seamount endemicity' hypothesis.

Plosone

In addition, we will analyze completers only, as a liberal estimate of treatment efficacy.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A more liberal estimate would be 3000 R&D positions and 15,000 jobs outside of R&D.... and for materials engineers?

Science Magazine

That's of course a very liberal estimate: artificial intelligence and crowdsourced flagging can provide at least some level of leverage, and it almost certainly the case that not every video needs to be reviewed as carefully or in real-time.

TechCrunch

A conservative estimate based on the data obtained here (using a cut-off of q ≤ 0.2) is 5% of the genome, whereas a more liberal estimate is 25% because this is the fraction of genes whose expression changed two-fold in response to light.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

In comparison, using a Erdos Renyi random model (creating a set of random networks preserving only network size and density) to estimate the level of (binary) connectivity between nodes would likely lead to a more liberal estimate of rich club density as one now also eliminates the hub structure of the network, which is partly determined by the network's degree sequence.

Cerebral Cortex

Also, the "liberal" power is always higher, as is expected since the results that count towards the "conservative" power estimates represent a subset of the models that contribute to the "liberal" estimate.

BioData Mining

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a liberal estimate", be clear about why you're providing a higher estimate. This often involves accounting for potential risks, unexpected costs, or uncertainties. Providing context enhances transparency and trust.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a liberal estimate" as a definitive or guaranteed figure. Always acknowledge the potential for deviation and specify the factors that could influence the actual outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a liberal estimate" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, expressing that the estimate in question is intentionally high or generous. As shown by Ludwig, this is employed across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a liberal estimate" is a phrase used to describe an estimation that is intentionally generous to account for potential uncertainties or increases. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to clarify why you are providing a higher estimate. Alternatives such as "a generous approximation" or "an upper-bound estimate" can be considered for slight variations in emphasis. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a liberal projection

Synonymous, but favors 'projection' over 'estimate'.

an upper-bound estimate

Specifically indicates that the estimate is likely the highest possible value.

a generous approximation

Emphasizes the kindness or leniency in the approximation, rather than simply the breadth of the range.

a high-end projection

Focuses on forecasting or predicting a value, specifically at the higher end of possibilities.

a broad estimation

Highlights the wide scope or range considered in making the estimate.

an optimistic forecast

Indicates a prediction based on favorable assumptions, possibly overstating the outcome.

a rounded-up number

Explicitly states that the estimate has been increased for convenience or safety.

a rough calculation

Implies that the estimate was made quickly and without precise data.

a tentative assessment

Highlights the uncertainty and potential for revision in the estimate.

a ballpark figure

Suggests a very approximate estimate, often used in informal settings.

FAQs

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

You can use "a liberal estimate" when you want to indicate an approximation that is likely on the higher side. For instance: "A liberal estimate of the project's cost is $10,000, but it could be less."

What's an alternative to "a liberal estimate"?

Alternatives include "a generous estimate", "a broad estimation", or "an upper-bound estimate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a liberal estimate"?

It's appropriate when you're providing an approximate value and want to ensure that you're accounting for potential increases or unexpected factors. It's commonly used in budgeting, project planning, and risk assessment.

What is the difference between "a liberal estimate" and "a conservative estimate"?

"A liberal estimate" suggests the higher end of a possible range, while "a conservative estimate" suggests the lower end. Use a liberal estimate when you want to overestimate, and a conservative estimate when you want to underestimate.