broad estimates

USAGE SUMMARY

"broad estimates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain that something can only be estimated; for example: "The total cost of the project is difficult to precisely calculate, so I have provided broad estimates of the expenses".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But experts concede that the figures are only broad estimates.

The New York Times

Even broad estimates can help sensible decision-making.

The Economist

Our research broadly chimes with findings by mortgage broker Anderson Harris, which gave us some broad estimates of what they expect could be achieved.

The Guardian - Money

"These are broad estimates because it is impossible to calculate the final figure while the withdrawal is taking place," Nestle said.

Independent

The report, the first to collect all known data on child injuries worldwide, makes broad estimates because many poor countries gather few health statistics, and many children are hurt or killed without ever seeing a doctor.

The New York Times

Broad estimates of valley incision have been calculated from previously dated deposits.

Proceedings of the Geologists' Association

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The figures are a broad estimate.

The Guardian

(The value of each holding is presented as a broad estimate, making precise calculation impossible. Home equity is not included).

The New York Times

The report claims ministers had "unfortunately neglected to provide even a broad estimate of the likely reorganisation costs".

The Guardian

As the war and occupation unfolded, however, the MoD made only a "broad estimate" of how many Iraqis were being killed.

The Guardian

It also noted that ministers had no "credible plan" to make NHS savings of £20bn by 2014 and "unfortunately neglected to provide even a broad estimate of the likely reorganisation costs".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broad estimates", clarify the degree of potential error or range of values to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid treating "broad estimates" as definitive figures; always acknowledge their approximate nature to prevent misleading conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad estimates" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the nature of calculations or assessments as being approximate rather than exact. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broad estimates" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies approximate calculations or assessments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using "broad estimates", it's important to clarify the level of potential error and avoid treating them as precise figures. Alternatives like "rough calculations" or "ballpark figures" may be suitable in less formal settings. Remember that transparency about the approximate nature of these estimates is key to avoiding misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate values

Highlights that the values are not exact but close to the actual figures.

general approximations

Emphasizes the lack of precision and detail in the estimation.

rough calculations

Refers to preliminary or approximate calculations, lacking precise details.

ballpark figures

Indicates approximate numerical values, often used for initial estimations.

high-level estimates

Suggests estimations made from a broad, strategic perspective.

order-of-magnitude estimates

Focuses on estimations that are accurate to the nearest power of ten.

preliminary assessments

Describes initial evaluations made before detailed analysis.

initial projections

Indicates forecasts or predictions based on limited data.

crude estimations

Suggests that the estimations are basic and lack refinement.

loose calculations

Highlights that the calculations are not strict and allow for flexibility.

FAQs

How can I use "broad estimates" in a sentence?

You can use "broad estimates" to indicate approximate calculations or figures, like: "The project's budget is based on "broad estimates" due to the unpredictable nature of material costs."

What is a less formal way to say "broad estimates"?

Less formal alternatives include "ballpark figures" or "rough calculations", depending on the context and the level of precision you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "broad estimates"?

"Broad estimates" are appropriate when precise data is unavailable or when an initial approximation is sufficient for decision-making or planning.

What's the difference between "broad estimates" and "precise calculations"?

"Broad estimates" provide an approximate value, while "precise calculations" offer an exact or highly accurate value based on detailed data and methods.