estimates to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "estimates to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; a more appropriate phrase would be "estimates of" or "estimates for" depending on the context. Example: "The estimates to complete the project were higher than expected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Germany lowers its growth estimates to 1 percent.

The New York Times

Halliburton officials referred questions about estimates to corps officials.

The New York Times

Analysts cut estimates to 19 cents last month.

The New York Times

Critics consider both those estimates to be unrealistic.

The New York Times

Charitybuzz used their estimates to set opening bids.

The New York Times - Arts

It's important to add time estimates to your tasks.

The New York Times

A responsible news organization does not pick and choose which estimates to report.

The New York Times

"We have increased the intake over the forward estimates to 18,750," he said.

The Guardian

On April 18, Hewlett-Packard lowered its earnings estimates to 13 to 17 cents a share.

The New York Times

Some officials said they expected Mr. Ratner's preliminary cost estimates to swell quickly.

The New York Times

The company said analysts should adjust their third-quarter estimates to 31 cents a share.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When the estimate refers to an evaluation of a particular amount or quantity, substitute "to" with "of". For example, use "estimates of the damage" instead of "estimates to the damage".

Common error

Avoid using "to" when "for" or "of" would be grammatically correct. Saying "estimates to repair the car" is incorrect; use "estimates for repairing the car" or "estimates of the cost to repair the car" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "estimates to" functions as a prepositional phrase, often intended to link estimations with a subsequent action or recipient. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is often grammatically incorrect and should be replaced by "estimates for" or "estimates of".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "estimates to" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is typically to relate estimations to either a purpose (corrected by using "estimates for") or a quantified amount (corrected by using "estimates of"). Given this common error, it's best practice to opt for grammatically sound alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility, especially in formal writing. Be sure to evaluate the context carefully, and use either ""estimates for"" or ""estimates of"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

estimates for

Replaces 'to' with 'for', focusing on the purpose or recipient of the estimate.

estimates of

Replaces 'to' with 'of', highlighting the content or subject being estimated.

projections for

Emphasizes future predictions rather than current calculations, using 'for' to indicate purpose.

projections of

Focuses on forecasting specific values or outcomes, using 'of' to denote content.

assessments for

Implies a detailed evaluation process, specifying the target or beneficiary with 'for'.

assessments of

Highlights the evaluation of particular aspects or qualities, indicated by 'of'.

calculations for

Stresses the process of computation, using 'for' to define the objective.

calculations of

Emphasizes the result of computation, using 'of' to specify the calculated values.

approximations for

Indicates values that are near but not exact, using 'for' to denote the intended use.

approximations of

Focuses on the estimated value or quantity, specified by 'of'.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "estimates" in a sentence?

Use "estimates for" when the estimate is intended for a purpose, such as "estimates for the new building". Use "estimates of" when referring to the content being estimated, like "estimates of the population size".

What can I say instead of "estimates to"?

Consider using "estimates for" or "estimates of" depending on the context. "Estimates for" indicates purpose, while "estimates of" refers to the quantity or subject.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the estimates to complete the project"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. A better phrasing would be "the "estimates for" completing the project" or "the "estimates of" the cost to complete the project".

What's the difference between "estimates for" and "estimates of"?

"Estimates for" refers to the intended use or purpose of the estimate, while ""estimates of"" refers to the amount or quantity being estimated. For example, "estimates for the budget" versus "estimates of the budget size".