cautious estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

'cautious estimate' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a calculation or projection that relies on careful consideration of all relevant factors. For example: A cautious estimate suggests that this project will take five months to complete.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If the world follows China's lead, that figure could yet turn out to be a cautious estimate.

MIT Technology Review

The UN considers their testimony to be "consistently reliable".According to the UN's cautious estimate, over 8,000 civilians have been killed in the fighting since January 20th.

The Economist

The best bet is that GTE would take at least a year to get through, while nine months would be a cautious estimate for WorldCom.

The Economist

Here's one: Fifa enjoys tax-exempt status at the World Cup, as do its corporate partners, and Brazil's Internal Revenue Service has claimed – in a cautious estimate – that such exemptions rob the host country of nearly $250m.

The Guardian - Sport

According to international officials whose job is to cope with human flotsam and jetsam, the problem of statelessness is growing fast, despite a modest decline in the number of refugees in the strict sense.In a cautious estimate, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported that in the course of 2006 the number of stateless persons had climbed from 2.4m to 5.8m.

The Economist

The jobs are a cautious estimate and could be higher".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Where did these cautious estimates come from?

The New Yorker

Even the most cautious estimates of harm rise with the incidence of infection.

The New Yorker

He then turns to life at stud (breeding) where he is worth, on cautious estimates, £100m ($162m).

The Economist

Cautious estimates suggest five ­suspected victims of child trafficking go missing from care around ports and ­airports in the UK every week.

The Guardian

Even cautious estimates put this new treasure trove at 616 trillion cubic feet — equivalent in energy terms to 106 billion barrels of oil, roughly Kuwait's proven reserves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "cautious estimate", clearly state the assumptions and limitations that underlie your calculation to maintain transparency and credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "cautious estimate" as a definitive prediction. Acknowledge the inherent uncertainty and potential for variation in the actual outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cautious estimate" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "cautious" modifies the noun "estimate". It describes a particular type of assessment or calculation, as exemplified by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cautious estimate" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase indicating a deliberate and conservative assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to convey prudence and realism across various domains. When using this phrase, it's essential to clarify the assumptions and limitations underlying the estimate to maintain transparency and credibility. Alternatives such as "conservative projection" or "prudent assessment" can be employed to add variety while retaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conservative projection

Focuses on forecasting with a lower-bound approach.

prudent assessment

Emphasizes the wisdom and carefulness in the evaluation.

restrained calculation

Highlights the controlled and limited nature of the calculation.

conservative valuation

Specifically relates to assigning a lower, safer value.

guarded forecast

Suggests a cautiousness due to potential risks or uncertainties.

careful appraisal

Indicates a thorough and attentive evaluation.

tentative approximation

Implies the estimate is provisional and subject to change.

measured prediction

Stresses the deliberate and thoughtful nature of the prediction.

circumspect calculation

Emphasizes the awareness of potential hazards or pitfalls in the calculation.

low-end projection

Directly suggests a forecast at the lower limit of possible outcomes.

FAQs

How do you use "cautious estimate" in a sentence?

You can use "cautious estimate" to describe a prediction or calculation that is intentionally conservative to account for potential uncertainties. For example, "A "cautious estimate" of the project's cost is $1 million."

What are some alternatives to "cautious estimate"?

Similar phrases include "conservative projection", "prudent assessment", or "restrained calculation", all of which suggest a careful and conservative approach to estimating something.

When should I use "cautious estimate" instead of "optimistic forecast"?

Use "cautious estimate" when you want to emphasize the potential downsides or uncertainties and provide a more conservative figure. In contrast, "optimistic forecast" suggests a more positive outlook, potentially overlooking risks.

Is "cautious estimate" the same as "best-case scenario"?

No, "cautious estimate" is not the same as a "best-case scenario". A "cautious estimate" is a deliberately conservative calculation, whereas a "best-case scenario" represents the most favorable possible outcome.