could have estimated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could have estimated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or hypothetical situation in the past regarding making an estimation. Example: "If we had more data, we could have estimated the project's costs more accurately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We could have estimated species specific models, and they would likely be different [25].

Carbon Balance and Management

We could have estimated species specific models, and they would likely be different [ 25].

Carbon Balance and Management

We could have estimated the total number of patients admitted to all non- specialist tertiary hospitals in Kathmandu valley by scaling up the numbers from the sample of 3 Kathmandu valley non specialist tertiary hospitals.

BMC Public Health

We could have estimated cumulative incidence and annual prevalence rates for other age ranges, for example, for 3-year-olds or 5-year-olds, from within the GPRD dataset, but there are no other published studies for comparison.

BMJ Open

Because SO2 levels are higher near sources and vary widely in space, few studies could have estimated SO2 levels at a spatial level fine enough to represent the variability of individual exposure.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Absence of a ZIKV 2007 isolate also precluded use of a ZIKV 2007 isolate to generate a standard curve in the RT-PCR, which in turn could have estimated the concentration of infectious virus within patients.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This means your additional state pension could be different from the amount we have estimated, and could actually be zero".

The Guardian

Rebellious legislators from both parties are now looking to put a cap on the state's annual film spending, which some have estimated could quickly hit $200 million a year.

The New York Times

Congress would have to appropriate new funding for the construction of a wall, which some have estimated could cost tens of billions of dollars.

The New York Times

A judge ordered the companies to issue refunds, which some attorneys have estimated could reach $800 million.

Los Angeles Times

Researchers in India have estimated it could cost the country tens of billions of dollars.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could have estimated" when discussing a past possibility that an estimation could have been made, especially when the estimation did not actually occur but was feasible or advisable.

Common error

Avoid using "could estimate" when you mean "could have estimated". The former refers to a present or future possibility, while the latter refers to a past potential action. For example, "We could estimate the costs next week" (future) versus "We "could have estimated" the costs last week, but we didn't have the data" (past).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have estimated" functions as a modal verb construction expressing a past possibility or hypothetical scenario. It indicates that an estimation was feasible or advisable in the past, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could have estimated" is a grammatically sound modal verb phrase that expresses a past possibility of making an estimation. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's used in both science and news contexts. While the phrase is correct, writers should avoid confusing it with "could estimate", which refers to a present or future action. Related phrases include "might have calculated" and "should have assessed". The phrase is versatile, fitting into both formal and neutral registers, and serves to highlight missed opportunities or hypothetical past scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have calculated

Replaces "could" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability of the estimation occurring.

may have approximated

Substitutes "estimated" with "approximated", indicating a less precise calculation.

would have guessed

Replaces "estimated" with "guessed", implying a less scientific or informed estimation.

should have assessed

Changes "could" to "should", indicating an obligation or recommendation to have made the estimation.

were able to predict

Replaces "could have estimated" with "were able to predict", focusing on the ability to foresee something rather than calculate it.

had the potential to calculate

Highlights the potential or capacity to estimate, rather than the act itself.

were in a position to approximate

Emphasizes the situation or circumstances allowing for an approximation.

might have determined

Replaces "estimated" with "determined", indicating a more conclusive or definitive calculation.

had the option to evaluate

Focuses on the availability of an option to perform an evaluation or estimation.

were capable of judging

Substitutes "estimated" with "judging", suggesting an assessment based on subjective criteria.

FAQs

What does "could have estimated" mean?

The phrase "could have estimated" indicates a past possibility or hypothetical scenario where an estimation could have been made but was not necessarily done. It often implies that conditions or resources were available to make the estimation.

How can I use "could have estimated" in a sentence?

You can use "could have estimated" when discussing past events where making an estimation was feasible or advisable. For example, "If we had gathered more data, we "could have estimated" the impact more accurately."

What are some alternatives to "could have estimated"?

Alternatives include "might have calculated", "should have assessed", or "may have approximated" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "could have estimated" and "could estimate"?

Yes, "could have estimated" refers to a past potential action, whereas "could estimate" refers to a present or future possibility. "We "could have estimated" the budget last month" implies the opportunity has passed, while "We could estimate the budget next month" suggests a future plan.