educated guess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "educated guess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when a person is making an inference or assumption based on his or her knowledge or experience. For example, "I can't be certain what the outcome of the election will be, but my educated guess is that the incumbent will win."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was an educated guess.

The Guardian - Sport

But this is merely an educated guess.

The Economist

But that was only an educated guess.

The New York Times - Science

But that is only an educated guess.

The Economist

"It's a pretty good educated guess".

The New York Times

Alternatively, make an educated guess (Patricia Gongal).

The Guardian

The answer may be anyone's educated guess.

The New York Times

Or possibly I'm making an educated guess.

The Guardian - Books

The educated guess is it was Mauresmo.

The Guardian - Sport

And that's not just an educated guess.

The New York Times - Tech

An educated guess would be 5000 per day.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "educated guess" when you want to convey that an estimate or prediction is based on knowledge, experience, or available data, rather than pure guesswork.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "educated guess" as a definitive fact. Qualify it with phrases like "it is likely", "it is probable", or "it is estimated" to maintain appropriate levels of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "educated guess" functions as a noun phrase that describes an estimate or prediction. It often serves as a subject or object within a sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates that the guess is based on knowledge rather than being purely random.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "educated guess" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe an estimate or prediction based on knowledge or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from news reporting to scientific analysis. While not suitable in situations requiring absolute certainty, it's a valuable way to describe assumptions grounded in available information. Alternatives like "informed estimation" and "calculated prediction" offer similar meanings with slight differences in nuance. Remember to qualify "educated guess" appropriately, avoiding the implication of definitive certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informed estimation

Focuses on the 'informed' aspect, emphasizing the knowledge base behind the estimate.

calculated prediction

Highlights the 'calculation' involved, suggesting a more deliberate and analytical approach.

reasoned assumption

Emphasizes the 'reasoning' process leading to the assumption.

knowledge-based forecast

Stresses the 'knowledge base' used for the forecast.

well-founded speculation

Suggests the speculation is based on solid ground or evidence.

considered judgment

Highlights the careful 'consideration' involved in forming the judgment.

guesstimate

A blend of 'guess' and 'estimate', implying an approximate calculation.

informed opinion

Highlights the fact that the opinion is based on knowledge or experience.

professional judgment

Emphasizes that the judgment is based on expert knowledge.

working hypothesis

Focuses on using the guess as a starting point for further investigation.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "educated guess" in a sentence?

You can use "educated guess" to indicate that a prediction or estimation is based on some knowledge or experience. For example, "Based on the data, my educated guess is that sales will increase next quarter."

What is a good alternative to "educated guess"?

Alternatives include "informed estimation", "calculated prediction", or "reasoned assumption" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "educated guess" in formal writing?

Yes, "educated guess" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when it's important to convey that an estimate isn't arbitrary but based on some factual basis. However, in some contexts, more formal synonyms like "considered judgment" might be preferable.

What distinguishes an "educated guess" from a simple guess?

An "educated guess" implies some degree of knowledge, data, or experience informs the estimation, whereas a simple guess is more random or intuitive. In short, it’s more than a shot in the dark.