guess around

USAGE SUMMARY

"guess around" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a phrase that means to make an educated guess or to make an attempt at something without being sure of the outcome. For example, "I'm not sure what the right answer is, so I'm just gonna guess around and see what happens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I would guess around Wednesday morning we will be able to say who our new manager is".

BBC

Granted it's high priced (I'd guess around $80,000) and limited in production (maybe 5,000 for the U.S. to start although, again, that's my guess), but believe me, there will be a long waiting list for this car.

Forbes

I'd guess around 10 times this episode.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'd guess around 23, though that's completely arbitrary.

The Guardian - Sport

I would guess around the time of the bombing of American barracks in Saudi Arabia.

The New York Times - Arts

I guess around 90% of the patients are from 'the neighbourhood'".

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Le Meur guessed around $140 million (whether that offer came from Facebook, Yahoo or another company wasn't really mentioned, but they are the likely bidders and the topic of the on-stage conversation was Facebook when the question dropped).

TechCrunch

"I'd guess that around 30% accept this is for security reasons, while the rest believe it to be, at the least, intrusive.

The Guardian - Tech

I guess what goes around comes around".

The New York Times

He was, I guessed, around 60, barefoot and dressed in an old sarong.

The Guardian - Travel

She now works at a fast-food restaurant, making, she guesses, around $14,000 a year.Melissa once had an event-planning company.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "guess around", ensure the context implies a degree of uncertainty. It's suitable for situations where precise figures are unavailable or unnecessary.

Common error

Avoid using "guess around" in contexts requiring exact figures or definite statements. Instead, use more precise language if accuracy is critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guess around" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an act of making an approximate estimation or conjecture. It suggests uncertainty, as confirmed by Ludwig. Examples in Ludwig show it used when precision is not critical.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "guess around" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express an approximate estimate, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's commonly found in news and media, with a neutral to informal register. While acceptable, it's advisable to use more precise language in formal contexts. Consider alternatives such as "estimate roughly" or "ballpark estimate" for different shades of meaning. Remember that while "guess around" is often acceptable, avoiding it in situations demanding accuracy is best.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ballpark estimate

Uses a common idiom to convey a rough or approximate guess.

Figure approximately

Uses "figure" to suggest a rough calculation or estimate.

Estimate roughly

Replaces "guess" with "estimate" to indicate a more calculated approximation.

Rough calculation

Focuses on the act of making a calculation without precision.

Approximate closely

Uses "approximate" to emphasize near accuracy in the guess.

Speculate loosely

Implies a less precise and more tentative guess.

Surmise generally

Indicates a conclusion based on limited evidence.

Imagine vaguely

Shifts focus to a less concrete, imaginative guess.

Hypothesize broadly

Suggests a more formal and less certain guess.

Theorize loosely

Suggests a more formal guess, venturing a possible explanation without firm evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "guess around" in a sentence?

You can use "guess around" when you're making an approximate estimation. For example, "I'd "guess around" 50 people will attend the meeting."

What can I say instead of "guess around"?

Alternatives include "estimate roughly", "approximate closely", or "ballpark estimate" depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "guess around" is better suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "estimate" or "approximate".

What's the difference between "guess around" and "estimate"?

"Guess around" implies a less precise and more casual estimation, whereas "estimate" suggests a more careful calculation. For a formal setting, "estimate" is generally preferable.