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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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anyone's guess

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's anyone's guess, frankly.

After that, it's anyone's guess.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Otherwise, it's anyone's guess.

The father – who knows – it's anyone's guess.

News & Media

The New York Times

That's anyone's guess.

News & Media

Forbes

It's anyone's guess.

On MySpace, it's anyone's guess.

News & Media

TechCrunch

So it's anyone's guess what happens".

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

And then it's anyone's guess.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Right now, it's anyone's guess.

News & Media

Huffington Post

It's really anyone's guess.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with a preceding clause that defines the scope of the uncertainty, such as "What the final cost will be is "anyone's guess"."

Common error

Avoid using redundant intensifiers like "completely anyone's guess" or "totally anyone's guess". The phrase already implies a total lack of certainty, so adding adverbs of degree can make the writing feel cluttered or hyperbolic.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

In the examples provided by Ludwig, "anyone's guess" functions as a predicative noun phrase, typically following the verb "to be". It acts as a complement that describes the subject as being unknown or unpredictable. It is often preceded by introductory pronouns like "it" or "that", as seen in common constructions like "It is "anyone's guess" what happens next".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "anyone's guess" is a highly effective idiomatic expression used to denote absolute uncertainty. Ludwig examples demonstrate its prevalence in top-tier publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it serves to describe unpredictable outcomes in politics, economics, and technology. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically standard and follows a consistent pattern of being used as a subject complement. When using it, ensure the possessive apostrophe is correctly placed. While interchangeable with "anybody's guess", it is preferred in journalistic registers for its punchy and egalitarian tone.

FAQs

What does "anyone's guess" mean?

It is an idiom used to say that a situation is completely uncertain and that no one knows what will happen or what the truth is. It suggests that your guess is as good as a professional's.

Can I use "anybody's guess" instead?

Yes, you can use "anybody's guess" as a perfect synonym. There is no significant difference in meaning or formality between the two.

What is a more formal way to say "anyone's guess"?

In very formal or academic writing, you might prefer phrases like "remains uncertain", "an open question", or "subject to speculation".

Is "anyone's guess" a cliche?

While it is a common idiom, it is not generally considered a tired cliche in journalism. It remains a precise and effective way to describe volatility in news and business contexts.

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Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: