guesses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guesses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making an estimate or conjecture about something without having complete information. Example: "She has a few guesses about what might happen next in the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The narrative, though, proceeds by odd fits and starts, tracking back and forwards in time as Walter, struggling to resolve the train of consequence, reconstructs past events and considers future possibilities, guesses at others' motivations, resolves to act, hesitates, does not.

The Guardian - Books

So you make semi-educated guesses and simply roll the dice.

The Guardian - Film

The reformist correspondent pointed out a breaking news item from the Iranian Labor News Agency, reporting that Zarif has confirmed that the "guesses" made by the media have been largely correct and that Qaboos had traveled to Tehran in the role of a mediator carrying communications.

The Guardian

Merrill Lynch, an American investment bank, guesses that the current-account deficit will exceed 13% of GDP by the end of the year.

The Economist

Cy Brown of Louisiana Hog Control guesses that, working on weekend nights over the past six months, he and his partner have dispatched around 300 porkers to hog heaven.People have two objections to hunting with drones.

The Economist

Instead, they work by making best guesses and by trial and error.

The Economist

But even with galloping mechanisation, he guesses that most local farmers would go bust without federal subsidies.For the unskilled, options are sparse.

The Economist

(It is one of the many second guesses that will accompany defeat for either candidate).

The Economist

Given the clandestine nature of the business, such estimates can be no more than educated guesses.

The Economist

Joshua Hartshorne, the MIT researcher behind the Games With Words lab that created the quiz, says that the top three guesses included the correct one about 80-90% of the time.

The Economist

That, the idea goes, is because a woman who guesses wrongly that a man intends to stick around could end up raising a child alone.On looks, however, men and women make the same error.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "guesses", ensure the context clearly indicates the level of certainty or evidence supporting the estimate. Specify if they are 'informed guesses', 'rough guesses', etc., to convey the reliability of the estimation.

Common error

Avoid presenting "guesses" as definitive facts. Qualify your statements with phrases like "it is believed", "it is estimated", or "according to preliminary guesses" to maintain accuracy and transparency.

Linguistic Context

Guesses primarily functions as a noun, referring to estimations or conjectures. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. It often appears when discussing uncertain or speculative information, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "guesses" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun, used to represent estimations or conjectures. As Ludwig AI highlights, its use spans across diverse domains, notably in news and media. While it is suitable for general communication, be mindful of the context and the level of certainty you wish to convey, considering alternatives such as "estimations", "predictions", or "speculations". Remember to qualify your statements to avoid misrepresenting "guesses" as definitive facts, thereby maintaining transparency and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

educated guesses

Emphasizes that the guesses are informed by some degree of knowledge or experience.

estimations

Focuses on the numerical approximation or calculation rather than speculation.

predictions

Emphasizes forecasting future events based on available information.

assumptions

Highlights the acceptance of something as true without proof.

guesstimates

Combines guessing and estimating, often used in business or technical contexts.

speculations

Implies a more theoretical or conjectural consideration.

conjectures

Suggests forming an opinion or supposition about something on the basis of incomplete information.

surmises

Indicates inferring something is true without conclusive evidence.

hypotheses

Implies a tentative explanation for a phenomenon used as a basis for further investigation.

approximations

Highlights the act of making an estimate that is close but not exact.

FAQs

How can I use "guesses" in a sentence?

You can use "guesses" to refer to estimations or conjectures about something. For example, "The economist's "guesses" about the market's future proved to be accurate."

What are some alternatives to the word "guesses"?

Alternatives to "guesses" include "estimations", "predictions", "speculations", or "assumptions", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "guesses" or "educated guesses"?

"Educated guesses" implies that the estimations are based on some knowledge or experience, while "guesses" alone can suggest a less informed estimation. Use "educated guesses" when you want to emphasize the presence of a rationale behind the estimation.

What's the difference between "guesses" and "predictions"?

"Guesses" typically refer to estimations without strong evidence, while "predictions" imply a forecast based on available data and analysis. Predictions often carry a higher degree of certainty or expectation than guesses.