begin to guess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin to guess" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the start of the process of making an assumption or estimation about something. Example: "After hearing the clues, I began to guess what the answer might be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

So I can't begin to guess.

The Guardian

Where this story will end I cannot begin to guess.

The Guardian - Books

I couldn't even begin to guess when that might be".

The Guardian

She couldn't begin to guess what went on in his mind.

The New Yorker

How these matters feel to other species, I can't even begin to guess.

The New York Times

I can't even begin to guess what the game will be.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Gilbert began to guess there was some sort of scam.

The New Yorker

They smiled and squirmed and began to guess: Phoebe, Ruby, Usha, Archie, Blake.

The New Yorker

"The damage is pretty substantial," he said, "and we haven't even begun to guess when it will be repaired".

The New York Times

On the other were those who were beginning to guess that — if a few more days pass — this jury has surely grown as divided as the last one.

The New York Times

Greta began to guess that he was one of those people who spent their youth involved with an older generation, until they themselves became elderly by association — and didn't mind it in the least or try to escape.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to guess" when you want to describe the initial stage of forming an opinion or estimate based on limited information. It's suitable when you're starting to speculate but don't yet have solid evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "begin to guess" excessively in formal writing. It can sound less precise than alternatives like "formulate an initial hypothesis" or "develop a preliminary estimate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to guess" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of speculation or estimation. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "begin to guess" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the initial act of speculating or estimating. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, though it might be less precise in more formal settings. Its frequency is high in News & Media sources and lower in Academic or encyclopedic writing. Alternatives like "start speculating" or "hazard a guess" can provide subtle shifts in meaning. While perfectly acceptable, be mindful of the context and consider whether a more precise or formal alternative is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hazard a guess

Similar to "venture a supposition", indicating a guess with some uncertainty.

start speculating

Replaces "begin" with "start" and "guess" with "speculating", implying a more active form of guessing.

start surmising

Replaces "guess" with "surmising", implying a guess based on incomplete evidence.

commence to estimate

Uses more formal synonyms for "begin" and "guess", indicating a more measured approach.

take a stab at estimating

Suggests an informal and approximate guess.

start making assumptions

Focuses on the act of assuming rather than guessing, suggesting a less informed process.

entertain a conjecture

Suggests considering a guess that may not be based on solid facts.

start forming hypotheses

Implies a more scientific or analytical approach to guessing.

make a preliminary assessment

Focuses on the initial stage of assessing something, rather than a simple guess.

venture a supposition

Suggests a tentative and somewhat risky guess.

FAQs

How can I use "begin to guess" in a sentence?

You can use "begin to guess" to describe the start of forming an opinion or making an estimate, such as: "After reading the first chapter, I began to guess who the murderer might be."

What can I say instead of "begin to guess"?

You can use alternatives like "start speculating", "hazard a guess", or "start making assumptions" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "begin to guess" or "start to guess"?

Both "begin to guess" and "start to guess" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Begin" might sound slightly more formal than "start".

What's the difference between "begin to guess" and "make an assumption"?

"Begin to guess" implies an initial stage of speculation, while "make an assumption" suggests a more definitive acceptance of something as true, even without proof. The former is more exploratory, the latter more conclusive.