an overall estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overall estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing a general approximation or assessment of a situation, project, or cost. Example: "Before we proceed, I would like to give you an overall estimate of the project's timeline and budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's not an overall estimate".

The New York Times

The frustrated senators instructed the officials to go back to the bureau and prepare an overall estimate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Our research suggests that both state polls and national polls are useful in calibrating an overall estimate of the national popular vote.

The New York Times

The original climate reconstruction emerged in the late 1990's as scientists took scattered indirect hints of past conditions, like variations in tree rings, and built an overall estimate.

The New York Times - Science

It does not provide an overall estimate for how much merchandise was sold.

TechCrunch

MRL renders an overall estimate and summarizes the residual life distribution of the equipment.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Electro-chemical techniques that are routinely used in monitoring corrosion of reinforced concrete give an overall estimate of corrosion.

Construction and Building Materials

But he added that an overall estimate of cost had not been done because it depended on how many MPs wanted to take up the offer.

BBC

Based on the estimates for the relay information words b m,n, now an overall estimate for the source information word b m should be determined.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

To take advantage of all data available, we use meta-analytic techniques to combine the results and obtain an overall estimate.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

These two estimates produce an overall estimate of Nfm = 5.77.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overall estimate", ensure you clarify the scope and limitations of the estimation to avoid misinterpretations. Provide context about what factors are included and any potential sources of error.

Common error

Avoid presenting "an overall estimate" as a precise calculation. Clearly indicate that it is an approximation to manage expectations and maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overall estimate" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI identifies its role in denoting a general approximation or assessment, as exemplified in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an overall estimate" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that serves to convey a general approximation or assessment across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is particularly frequent in scientific and news media sources. To ensure clarity, it's essential to clarify the scope and limitations of the estimation. Avoid presenting it as precise, instead emphasizing its approximate nature to manage expectations and maintain credibility. Alternatives like "a general assessment" or "a rough calculation" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general assessment

Focuses on the evaluation aspect, rather than a numerical approximation.

a rough calculation

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the calculation, suggesting less precision.

a broad approximation

Highlights the wide-ranging and inexact nature of the estimation.

a comprehensive evaluation

Stresses the thoroughness of the assessment, looking at all aspects.

a holistic estimation

Implies considering the whole system or context when making the estimation.

a total reckoning

Suggests a final calculation or judgment after considering all factors.

a summary appraisal

Indicates a brief overview of the value or worth of something.

an encompassing figure

Emphasizes that the number covers all aspects or components.

a bird's-eye view assessment

Conveys a high-level, general overview without detailed examination.

a ballpark figure

Indicates a very rough estimate, suitable for initial planning.

FAQs

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

You can use "an overall estimate" when you want to provide a general approximation or assessment, such as "The project requires an overall estimate of costs before approval".

What's the difference between "an overall estimate" and a precise calculation?

"An overall estimate" provides a general approximation, while a precise calculation aims for accuracy. The former is often used when exact data is unavailable, whereas the latter relies on detailed data and specific formulas.

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

Alternatives include "a general assessment", "a rough calculation", or "a broad approximation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "an overall estimate"?

It's appropriate to use "an overall estimate" during preliminary planning, budgeting, or when exact figures are not yet available or necessary. It helps to provide a sense of scale and scope without requiring precise details.