crude estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crude estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a rough or imprecise calculation or approximation of a value or quantity. Example: "The project manager provided a crude estimate of the costs involved, knowing that a more detailed analysis would follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

One very crude estimate suggests that from one to seven per cent of the general population is afflicted.

The New Yorker

The Economist's Big Mac index is a crude estimate of how far market exchange rates differ from PPP.

The Economist

"What you're getting out of knowing that Wen Ho Lee is Chinese is an extremely crude estimate of the larger list of factors about motive and opportunity.

The New York Times

In theory, inverting the odds about any individual horse offers at least a crude estimate of the chance that it will not win.

The Guardian - Sport

Paul Griffiths of the agency said their "crude estimate" was that there were now 3 million people across the EU who used cannabis on a daily basis.

The Guardian

A crude estimate is that the two crises will subtract between a quarter and half a percentage point from that.That may not capture the full effect.

The Economist

This congestion is, according to the CBI's admittedly crude estimate, costing the country about £20 billion a year.The present may be grim but the prospects are worse.

The Economist

This crude estimate is 1.7 times that of California.

Injury Epidemiology

This system uses spectral subtraction to obtain a crude estimate of the speech signal.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The model, it should be emphasized, is only a first crude estimate of the network.

Plosone

Furthermore, using the approach of Griffiths et al. [127], it is possible to generate a crude estimate of this number.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "crude estimate", clarify the limitations or potential inaccuracies of the estimate. This transparency enhances credibility and manages expectations.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "crude estimate" as a definitive or highly accurate figure. Emphasize its approximate nature to prevent misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crude estimate" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "crude" modifies the noun "estimate". It describes an approximation that is not precise or refined. As shown by Ludwig, this expression is common in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crude estimate" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe a rough or preliminary approximation. Ludwig confirms its common usage across various domains, particularly in scientific, news, and business contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's important to acknowledge its limitations and potential inaccuracies, especially in formal settings where more precise alternatives like "preliminary assessment" might be preferred. Using the phrase accurately and contextually ensures effective communication and manages expectations regarding the estimate's precision. Remember to avoid overstating confidence in a "crude estimate" and be transparent about its limitations to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guesstimate

A blend of 'guess' and 'estimate', indicating an educated guess.

rough calculation

Replaces 'estimate' with 'calculation' and 'crude' with 'rough', suggesting a less refined approach.

initial projection

Suggests a forecast based on incomplete data.

preliminary assessment

Replaces 'estimate' with 'assessment' and 'crude' with 'preliminary', suggesting an initial evaluation.

approximate valuation

Replaces 'estimate' with 'valuation' and 'crude' with 'approximate', suggesting an inexact appraisal.

cursory calculation

The replacement of 'crude estimate' suggests a superficial calculation, not very detailed.

ballpark figure

Uses idiomatic language to indicate an approximate value.

high-level approximation

Indicates a simplified approximation, focusing on major components and without deep analysis.

back-of-the-envelope calculation

Indicates a very quick, informal calculation, often done without precise tools.

order-of-magnitude estimate

Implies an estimate focused on the power of ten, rather than precise details.

FAQs

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

You can use "crude estimate" to describe a preliminary or rough approximation, such as, "The engineer provided a "crude estimate" of the project's timeline before conducting a detailed analysis."

What are some alternatives to "crude estimate"?

Alternatives include "rough estimate", "approximate calculation", or "ballpark figure", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "crude estimate" in formal writing?

While "crude estimate" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "preliminary assessment" or "approximate valuation" in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

What does "crude" mean in the context of "crude estimate"?

In this context, "crude" means rough, preliminary, or lacking in detail. It indicates that the estimate is not precise and may be subject to significant revision.