estimated only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "estimated only" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is not a definite fact, but only an estimate. For example, "The number of people in the crowd was estimated only to be around 500."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But, she estimated, only about 60percentt fall into that category.

The New York Times

The Williams spoiler bid estimated only around $50 million of such synergies.

The New York Times

Research indicates that the Arctic's albedo may be declining much faster than was estimated only a few years ago.

The Guardian

In the pre-Giuliani era, a police chief once estimated, only 25percentt of the officers did their jobs.

The New York Times

Five years ago, Wang estimated, only three out of 10 Chinese people were adamant that the policy should be scrapped.

The Guardian

Third-quarter results came in far lower, and a restatement of past earnings far higher, than had been estimated only a month ago.

The New York Times

Several officials conceded that it had only a tangential relation to the war's objectives; the targeting document showed experts estimated only civilian casualties inside, not military casualties.

The New York Times

The mode signs are estimated only for real data.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The cabinet office estimated only a third of civil servants were taking part in the action.

BBC

The substitution of peat was estimated only in case of finished compost.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

These measures are correctly estimated only after matching black and white individuals within labor markets.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "estimated only", ensure the context clearly indicates that the value is not precise and may be subject to change. Provide the basis for the estimation if possible.

Common error

Avoid presenting values that are "estimated only" as definitive facts. Use qualifying language to maintain appropriate levels of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "estimated only" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a preceding or following value is an approximation. Ludwig shows its use in diverse contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "estimated only" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, especially in scientific and news reporting, to denote that a value is approximate rather than exact. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across a variety of contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity that the provided value is subject to change and is not a definitive figure. The best alternatives to "estimated only" include "roughly approximated" and "just an estimate", depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Roughly approximated

Replaces "estimated" with "approximated" and adds "roughly" for emphasis on imprecision.

Just an estimate

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize that it is merely a guess.

Calculated approximately

Focuses on the calculation being approximate.

Merely approximated

Emphasizes the approximation's lack of precision.

Believed to be around

Indicates a belief without concrete evidence.

Thought to be approximately

Suggests a considered but inexact calculation.

Considered to be just

Highlights the consideration and limitation of accuracy.

In the neighborhood of

Uses an informal way to express approximation.

In the vicinity of

Emphasizes a general proximity rather than an exact value.

Around about

Suggests a more casual and less precise estimate.

FAQs

How can I use "estimated only" in a sentence?

Use "estimated only" when you want to express that a particular value or quantity is an approximation rather than a precise measurement. For example, "The cost was "estimated only" after a preliminary assessment".

What are some alternatives to "estimated only"?

You can use alternatives like "roughly approximated", "just an estimate", or "believed to be around" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "estimated only" or "precisely calculated"?

The choice depends on the context. Use ""estimated only"" when you want to emphasize the approximate nature of a value. Use "precisely calculated" when you want to indicate a high degree of accuracy.

What does it mean when something is "estimated only"?

When something is ""estimated only"", it means the value is not exact and is based on an educated guess or preliminary calculation. It implies a degree of uncertainty.