hard to estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to quantify or assess accurately. Example: "The project's total cost is hard to estimate due to fluctuating material prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"To what extent, it's hard to estimate.

The New York Times

It is hard to estimate its historic value.

The New York Times - Arts

It is hard to estimate how much they make.

The New York Times - Tech

His jeremiad is controversial because extinction is hard to estimate.

The New York Times - Books

Absent such innovations, Soto's later achievement is hard to estimate.

The New York Times - Arts

Exactly how many die is hard to estimate.

Independent

It's hard to estimate how large the colony here is.

The New York Times

It is hard to estimate these things, he mused.

The Economist

Actual time for data collection is hard to estimate because there are so many variables.

Cornell University

It's hard to estimate, but this could be a $25 million boost in the economy.

The New York Times

Ever more people are salivating red, though the numbers are hard to estimate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to estimate", provide context on why the estimation is difficult. Mention contributing factors like data scarcity, fluctuating variables, or inherent unpredictability to add credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to estimate" as a blanket statement. Instead, acknowledge the uncertainty while still providing a range or best-guess estimate. This conveys more information and demonstrates analytical effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to estimate" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It expresses the difficulty or impossibility of making an accurate estimation or assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to estimate" is a commonly used phrase to express difficulty in accurately assessing or predicting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and applicable in various writing styles. While very frequent in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral tone making it suitable for both formal and informal communications. To enhance its usage, provide context on the estimation challenges and, even with uncertainty, offer a range or a best-guess estimate to add credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to quantify

Focuses on the difficulty in assigning a numerical value.

challenging to assess

Highlights the complexity involved in evaluating something.

tough to gauge

Emphasizes the struggle to measure or judge accurately.

not easy to determine

States plainly that finding a precise value is problematic.

virtually impossible to predict

Indicates that foretelling an outcome is almost unachievable.

remains uncertain

Highlights the unresolved and indefinite state of something.

difficult to ascertain

Emphasizes the laboriousness of discovering something with certainty.

beyond accurate calculation

Indicates that it's not possible to arrive to an accurate calculation.

defies precise measurement

Points out the inability to measure something accurately.

subject to considerable conjecture

Emphasizes the speculative nature due to lack of firm data.

FAQs

What does "hard to estimate" mean?

The phrase "hard to estimate" means that it is difficult to determine the value, size, or extent of something accurately. It suggests a degree of uncertainty or imprecision in assessment.

What can I say instead of "hard to estimate"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to quantify", "challenging to assess", or "tough to gauge" depending on the context.

How do I use "hard to estimate" in a sentence?

Use "hard to estimate" when you want to express that a precise calculation or prediction is not feasible. For example: "The long-term effects of the policy are hard to estimate".

Is it better to say "hard to estimate" or "difficult to estimate"?

Both "hard to estimate" and "difficult to estimate" are correct and virtually interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey.