it was estimated

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was estimated" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to express an approximation or guess of a figure, or to refer to an opinion already expressed. For example, "It was estimated that up to 200,000 people attended the rally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was estimated at $10 million to 15 million.

The New York Times - Arts

This one, it was estimated, might go for $1 million.

The New York Times - Sports

It was estimated at £30-40m and sold for £34.8m.

The Guardian - Arts

In 2007, it was estimated to be 284 million tons.

The New York Times

It was estimated at $3 million to $4 million.

The New York Times

By 2013, it was estimated that the city's population had plummeted to 258,959.

The Guardian

It was estimated at $6 million to $8 million, but there wasn't a bid.

The New York Times

It was estimated that £500m would flow back to Treasury coffers.

The Guardian - Business

It was estimated that 1.4 million women suffered domestic violence in England and Wales in 2014.

The Guardian - Opinion

As recently as 2007, it was estimated that almost three hundred thousand bats over-wintered there.

The New Yorker

In all, Jock said, it was estimated that some three million Rwandans had seen the race.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was estimated", ensure that the source or basis of the estimation is clear or easily inferred from the context. This adds credibility to the statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was estimated" without providing context or a source for the estimation. This can make the statement seem unsubstantiated and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was estimated" functions as a reporting verb in the passive voice. It introduces a piece of information that has been calculated or approximated. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a valid and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was estimated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for reporting approximations or calculated values. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for written English. The phrase appears most commonly in news, scientific, and wiki articles, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. To ensure clear communication, it is important to provide context for the estimation. Alternatives like "it was approximated" or "it was calculated" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. By following these best practices, writers can effectively use "it was estimated" to convey information with accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the estimate was

Changes the sentence structure while maintaining the core meaning.

it was approximated

Replaces "estimated" with "approximated", suggesting a less precise calculation.

it was calculated

Replaces "estimated" with "calculated", implying a more rigorous, mathematical determination.

it was assessed

Replaces "estimated" with "assessed", suggesting a formal evaluation or judgment.

it was anticipated

Replaces "estimated" with "anticipated", suggesting a prediction based on trends or expectations.

it was projected

Replaces "estimated" with "projected", implying a forecast into the future based on current data.

it was believed

Shifts from a calculated value to a general belief or opinion.

it was thought

Similar to "believed", but can suggest a more casual or informal assessment.

the figures suggest

Alters the construction to focus on the figures implying the estimations.

it was reckoned

Replaces "estimated" with "reckoned", often used in more informal contexts or to imply a rough calculation.

FAQs

How to use "it was estimated" in a sentence?

Use "it was estimated" to introduce a figure or value that has been approximated or calculated, often when the exact value is unknown or unimportant. For example, "It was estimated that the project would take two years to complete."

What can I say instead of "it was estimated"?

You can use alternatives like "it was approximated", "it was calculated", or "it was projected" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "it was estimated"?

While "it was estimated" uses the passive voice, it is often preferred when the estimator is unknown or when the emphasis is on the estimated value. However, using the active voice (e.g., "Researchers estimated...") can make the sentence more direct and engaging.

What is the difference between "it was estimated" and "it is estimated"?

"It was estimated" refers to an estimation that occurred in the past, while "it is estimated" refers to a current or ongoing estimation. For example, "It was estimated last year that the population would grow by 5%, but "it is estimated" now that the growth will be closer to 7%."