ambitious estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambitious estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an estimate that is bold, optimistic, or higher than what is typically expected. Example: "The project manager provided an ambitious estimate for the completion of the new software, aiming to finish it in just three months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It matched its very ambitious estimate at $20.8 million.

The New York Times - Arts

Some 20,000 have since been let out, by the government's perhaps ambitious estimate.

The Economist

This exceeded by half the ambitious estimate quoted by Christie's for the Calder.

The New York Times - Arts

It nearly matched a hugely ambitious estimate, rising to £10.68 million.

The New York Times - Arts

The bronze thus made two and a half times its seemingly ambitious estimate.

The New York Times - Arts

Many thought the garish top lot carried an ambitious estimate, £8m-12m, and would be hard to sell.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The two Picassos that carried the most ambitious estimates failed to sell.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet for the most part, the cars sold within, and often even exceeded, those ambitious estimates.

The New York Times

Yet, even by ambitious estimates, the ANWR has enough oil for less than two years' consumption by the United States.

The Economist

In general, the pieces that came up for sale were of uneven quality, and many had ambitious estimates.

The Economist

Even using the most ambitious estimates, prices are set to rise probably for the next 20 years until supply catches up with demand, if it ever does.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ambitious estimate", ensure that the context clearly justifies the use of the adjective "ambitious". Provide supporting details to explain why the estimate is considered bold or optimistic, reinforcing its credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "ambitious estimate" without sufficient justification or evidence. If the estimate lacks a solid foundation, it can be perceived as unrealistic or misleading, undermining trust and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambitious estimate" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "ambitious" qualifies the noun "estimate". It adds a specific characteristic to the estimate, indicating its level of difficulty or optimism. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ambitious estimate" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes an estimate considered bold or optimistic. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this, indicating its use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While not exceedingly common, it is well-understood and serves to highlight the challenging nature of a given projection. Related phrases include "optimistic projection", "high forecast", and "aggressive target", each with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly optimistic estimate

Adds emphasis to the optimism inherent in the estimate, implying it may be unrealistic or unfounded.

optimistic projection

Changes the noun to 'projection', implying a forward-looking assessment based on current trends, often used in business or finance.

high forecast

Uses 'forecast' instead of 'estimate', suggesting a prediction based on data and analysis, commonly used in economics or weather.

challenging prediction

Replaces 'estimate' with 'prediction', highlighting the inherent uncertainty and potential difficulty in achieving the stated outcome.

aggressive target

Shifts the focus to a desired outcome or goal ('target') that requires considerable effort and resources to attain.

bold assessment

Emphasizes the evaluative nature of the statement ('assessment') and its confident, assertive tone ('bold').

aspirational goal

Highlights the motivational aspect of the expectation ('goal') and its potential to inspire progress or improvement.

stretch goal

Indicates a target that is deliberately set beyond normal expectations to encourage maximum effort and innovation.

exaggerated forecast

Suggests that the expectation is overstated or inflated, possibly due to bias or wishful thinking.

grandiose expectation

Uses 'expectation' to convey a sense of scale and ambition, possibly with a hint of impracticality or pretension.

FAQs

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

You can use "ambitious estimate" to describe a projection that is particularly optimistic or challenging, such as, "The company set an "ambitious estimate" for sales growth next quarter."

What is a good alternative to "ambitious estimate"?

Alternatives include "optimistic projection", "high forecast", or "aggressive target", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "ambitious estimate" or "realistic estimate"?

The choice depends on the context. "Ambitious estimate" suggests a bold or optimistic projection, while "realistic estimate" implies a more conservative and achievable expectation.

What makes an estimate "ambitious"?

An estimate is considered "ambitious" when it sets a high goal that requires significant effort or resources to achieve, often exceeding typical expectations. The adjective "ambitious" highlights the challenging nature of the estimate.