an estimate about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an estimate about" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to a rough calculation or judgment regarding a specific topic or subject matter, but it is better to use more standard phrasing. Example: "The report provided an estimate about the project's total cost, but it may vary."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

For now, each deal is based on an estimate about whether the reductions will comply.

The New York Times

He did not give an estimate about how many members would attend.

The New York Times

Lewis explains: "At the end of the first film, we made an estimate about where we thought the cane toad would go.

The Guardian - Film

He has been continually harassed, & the telephone calls continue unabated until he finally got an estimate about removal of the brick inlay.

The New Yorker

Priscilla Hartwell sang in that first "Messiah," and has an estimate about when the thrill of performing at Carnegie will wear down.

The New York Times

New York City officials say that snowstorms cost around $1 million an inch -- an estimate about as trustworthy as the weather forecasts in farmer's almanacs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It controls an estimated about 13% of the world's recoverable crude oil reserves and the world's second largest natural gas reserves.

The Guardian

An engineering firm, the Saudi Arabia Engineering Consult, gave an estimate of about 2 175 km3.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

(Later research produced an estimate of about twenty-seven million).

The New Yorker

He got an estimate of about $2,000, for some decidedly La-Z-Boy-looking pieces.

The New York Times

Levy made a phone call and gave an estimate of about $2,000.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clearer and more formal writing, replace "an estimate about" with "an estimate of" or "an estimate concerning".

Common error

While understandable, relying heavily on the phrase "an estimate about" can make writing sound less polished. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "assessment", "projection", or "calculation" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an estimate about" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a prediction or rough calculation regarding a specific subject. However, as Ludwig suggests, it is often better to opt for other options.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "an estimate about" is understandable, it's less preferred than alternatives like "an estimate of" or "an estimate concerning", especially in formal writing. Ludwig's analysis of various sources indicates it functions to introduce a prediction or approximation. Although its use spans different categories, it tends to be more frequent in news and media, and less frequent in academic or encyclopedia settings. It's recommended to use it with caution and consider synonymous phrases for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an estimate regarding

Replaces "about" with "regarding", providing a slightly more formal tone and focusing on the subject the estimate pertains to.

an assessment concerning

Substitutes "estimate" with "assessment" and "about" with "concerning", suggesting a more thorough evaluation.

a projection pertaining to

Uses "projection" instead of "estimate" and "pertaining to" in place of "about", implying a forecast or prediction related to a specific topic.

an approximation for

Replaces "estimate" with "approximation" and "about" with "for", suggesting a less precise calculation.

a rough calculation of

Uses "rough calculation" to indicate an imprecise estimate, focusing on the calculation aspect.

a valuation concerning

Replaces "estimate" with "valuation" and "about" with "concerning", implying a formal appraisal or judgment.

an informed guess regarding

Substitutes "estimate" with "informed guess", highlighting the speculative nature of the estimate.

a preliminary figure for

Uses "preliminary figure" to indicate that the estimate is subject to change and is not yet final.

a speculative forecast on

Replaces "estimate" with "speculative forecast", emphasizing the uncertain nature of the prediction.

an educated prediction relating to

Substitutes "estimate" with "educated prediction" and "about" with "relating to", suggesting a forecast based on knowledge and analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "an estimate about" in a sentence?

While grammatically acceptable, consider using more common alternatives. For example, instead of "The report provided an estimate about the project's total cost", try "The report provided "an estimate of" the project's total cost".

What can I say instead of "an estimate about"?

You can use alternatives like ""an estimate of"", "an assessment of", or "a projection regarding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an estimate about" or "an estimate of"?

"An estimate of" is generally preferred and considered more grammatically sound in most contexts. "An estimate about" is less common but understandable.

Is "an estimate about" too informal for professional writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "an estimate about" might be perceived as slightly informal. Using ""an estimate of"" or "an estimate concerning" is generally safer for professional or academic writing.