but I estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but I estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a personal judgment or calculation about a situation or quantity, often in a context where precision is not guaranteed. Example: "The project will take longer than expected, but I estimate it will be completed by the end of next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The article length is flexible, but I estimate it to be less than 3,700 words.

University of California, Berkeley

"But I estimate at most it would be about 1 percent faster".

The New York Times - Sports

There's no official measure of what underemployment should be at full employment, but I estimate it to be 8.5percentt.

The Washington Post

I've never officially run the numbers, but I estimate there are about a billion grams of carbohydrates in my preferred serving size of pasta.

The Washington Post

"There is no final date yet, but I estimate that it is a matter of some two weeks," Ayalon, who was in Washington, told Israel Radio.

The Guardian

There's a lot of argument about the precentage of injuries that can be prevented by wearing a helmet, but I estimate it to be somewhere around two thirds".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I am anything but a Trump fan, but I estimated that he would get about 47percentt of the vote.

HuffPost

She assumed that they didn't have a lot of value, but I estimated them in the $6,000-$6,000-$10,000

HuffPost

But even there I estimate we've been eating 3000+ mg/day without using a salt shaker.

Harvard University

I can't find figures for the numbers of holidaymakers on the beach at peak time, but based on my observation I estimate they total many thousands (but fewer than those reported at Camber Sands).

The Guardian

Already, a fair proportion - I won't claim to know the exact figure, but I'd estimate it's over 90% - of Arctic researchers believe that for the region as a whole, the canary is already toppling off its perch.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but I estimate", clearly indicate the basis of your estimation, whether it's based on data, experience, or intuition, to enhance credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting your estimation using "but I estimate" as a definitive fact. This phrase introduces an element of uncertainty, so ensure your language reflects that rather than implying absolute accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but I estimate" serves as a disclaimer or qualifier that introduces an element of subjectivity or approximation to a statement. It softens the assertion by indicating that the speaker is providing a personal judgment rather than a precise fact. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but I estimate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to introduce a personal approximation or judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a qualifier, softening assertions with an element of subjectivity. Its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media, academia and science, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly state the basis for your estimation to enhance credibility and to avoid overstating confidence in the estimation's accuracy. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "however, my assessment is".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but I reckon

Replaces "estimate" with a more informal, colloquial term for guessing or supposing.

but I approximate

Replaces "estimate" with "approximate", suggesting a more technical or mathematical estimation.

but I would guess

Substitutes "estimate" with "guess", indicating a less precise and more speculative assessment.

but I figure

Replaces "estimate" with "figure", offering a less formal synonym for calculating or concluding.

but I surmise

Uses "surmise" instead of "estimate", implying a conclusion based on incomplete evidence or intuition.

but I calculate

Substitutes "estimate" with "calculate", implying a more reasoned or numerical approach.

but I predict

Replaces "estimate" with "predict", suggesting a forecast about a future event.

but my assessment is

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal expression of personal evaluation.

but I would say

Offers a less formal and more conversational way to express an opinion or judgment.

but my belief is

Indicates a personal belief or opinion, rather than a calculation or approximation.

FAQs

How can I use "but I estimate" in a sentence?

You can use "but I estimate" to introduce a personal approximation or judgment, such as, "The project will take longer than planned, "but I estimate" it will be done by next month."

What phrases are similar to "but I estimate"?

Similar phrases include "but I believe", "but I guess", or "but I reckon", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is "but I estimate" suitable for formal writing?

While usable, "but I estimate" leans towards a neutral to informal register. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "however, my assessment is" or "nevertheless, I approximate".

What's the difference between "but I estimate" and "but I know"?

"But I estimate" implies an approximation or a calculation with a degree of uncertainty, while "but I know" suggests a statement of fact or certainty. Use "but I estimate" when you are not entirely sure of the accuracy of your assessment.