an estimate of how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an estimate of how" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a rough calculation or approximation regarding a certain aspect or outcome. Example: "The report provides an estimate of how much time the project will take to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ikea would not provide an estimate of how much money it lost by closing.

The New York Times

Every month OPEC publishes an estimate of how much oil its members produce.

The New York Times

Mr. Weinberger said he did not yet have an estimate of how much money was involved.

The New York Times

Deirdre O'Sullivan, an agency spokeswoman, said she did not have an estimate of how many officers were needed.

The New York Times

Falkoff is unable to even offer an estimate of how many poems have been written in the camp.

The Guardian - Books

But he said he did not have an estimate of how many products had been sold with the clause.

The New York Times

Do you have an estimate of how many there are, how long they might able to continue operation?

The New York Times

They have to supply an estimate of how much they might owe if those strategies failed to withstand an audit.

The New York Times

Each course's home page provides an estimate of how many hours a week the course will require.

The New York Times - Tech

Con Edison did not provide an estimate of how long its customers might be without power before the storm hit.

The New York Times

Assessed value is, theoretically, an estimate of how much a home would sell for, and in markets like Westchester's, that number can vary dramatically from year to year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an estimate of how", clearly state the basis of your estimation to enhance credibility. For instance, specify if it's based on historical data, expert opinion, or a specific model.

Common error

Avoid presenting "an estimate of how" as an exact value. Emphasize that it is an approximation and may not reflect the actual outcome precisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an estimate of how" functions as a noun phrase that introduces an approximated assessment or a rough calculation. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows its use in various contexts to introduce approximate figures or projected outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an estimate of how" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to introduce an approximation or assessment. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase appears most commonly in news media, scientific publications, and formal business contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to remember that it should be used when conveying an approximate value rather than a precise calculation. Alternatives such as "an approximation of how" or "a rough idea of how" can be used to provide variety while maintaining the core meaning. Overall, "an estimate of how" is a valuable tool in writing for conveying calculated guesses or projections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an approximation of how

Substitutes "estimate" with "approximation", suggesting a close but not exact calculation.

an assessment of how

Replaces "estimate" with "assessment", indicating a more formal evaluation.

a calculation of how

Substitutes "estimate" with "calculation", suggesting a more precise, mathematically-driven approximation.

a rough idea of how

Replaces "estimate" with "rough idea", indicating a less precise assessment.

a rough calculation of how

Combines "rough" and "calculation" to emphasize the imprecise nature of the assessment.

a projection of how

Changes "estimate" to "projection", implying a forecast extending into the future.

a prediction of how

Changes "estimate" to "prediction", implying a forecast based on available data.

an educated guess of how

Substitutes "estimate" with "educated guess", implying the estimate is based on knowledge and experience.

a guesstimate of how

Replaces "estimate" with "guesstimate", suggesting an informal estimate based on limited information.

a preliminary figure for how

Changes "estimate" to "preliminary figure", suggesting an initial, subject-to-change calculation.

FAQs

How can I use "an estimate of how" in a sentence?

You can use "an estimate of how" to introduce a rough calculation or approximation regarding a particular aspect or outcome. For example, "The report provides "an estimate of how" much time the project will take to complete".

What phrases are similar to "an estimate of how"?

Similar phrases include "a rough idea of how", "an approximation of how", or "a prediction of how", which all convey a sense of approximation or assessment.

When is it appropriate to use "an estimate of how"?

It's appropriate to use "an estimate of how" when you need to convey a rough calculation or approximation regarding a particular aspect or outcome, especially when precise data is unavailable or unnecessary.

What is the difference between "an estimate of how" and "an exact calculation of how"?

"An estimate of how" implies an approximation, while "an exact calculation of how" suggests a precise, mathematically-derived figure. Use "an estimate of how" when precision isn't critical, and the latter when it is.