make an educated guess

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an educated guess" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting that someone use their knowledge and experience to come up with an informed estimate or opinion. For example, "I'm not sure how much it will cost, but let's make an educated guess and say $100."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Alternatively, make an educated guess (Patricia Gongal).

The Guardian

Or watch reruns on Nick at Nite, and make an educated guess.

The New York Times - Books

"But there was that five per cent where I had to make an educated guess".

The New Yorker

Nobody can make an educated guess about that because no outsider understands Assad's mind.

The New York Times

There is no explanation for this in the text, but we can make an educated guess.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those in other groups may have to make an educated guess what they need.

The Guardian - Sport

But with a little history and a little logic, we can make an educated guess, even a few months beforehand.

The New York Times

With the horses, you can make an educated guess and that can give you an opportunity to make money.

The New York Times - Sports

Hitters could watch his glove and make an educated guess about whether he was throwing a fastball or a forkball.

The New York Times - Sports

But it takes only a little imagination to make an educated guess about whom he may have been talking.

The New York Times - Sports

And are you familiar enough with that pitcher's repertory to make an educated guess if he's going to throw a two-seam or a four-seam fastball?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make an educated guess" when you want to emphasize that a guess is based on knowledge and reasoning, rather than being a random shot in the dark.

Common error

Avoid using "make an educated guess" when there's no basis for the guess. This phrase implies some level of expertise or information, so ensure that context is present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an educated guess" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of forming an opinion or estimate based on available knowledge. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is used to indicate a reasoned conclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make an educated guess" is a versatile phrase used to describe forming an opinion or estimate based on available knowledge. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to ensure the guess is indeed informed to avoid misuse. Consider alternatives such as "offer an informed opinion" or "formulate a hypothesis" depending on the context. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey that your assessment is reasoned rather than arbitrary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

estimate based on evidence

Highlights the evidence-based nature of the estimation process.

draw a plausible inference

Suggests that the conclusion is likely and based on sound reasoning.

make a reasoned assumption

Emphasizes the logical basis for the assumption being made.

offer an informed opinion

Implies a level of expertise or knowledge contributing to the opinion.

deduce from the facts

Focuses on logical reasoning and deriving an answer from available information.

speculate intelligently

Highlights the use of intelligence and knowledge in the speculation.

formulate a hypothesis

This phrase is more formal and often used in scientific or academic contexts.

arrive at a conjecture

More formal, implying a reasoned but not fully proven conclusion.

hazard a supposition

Suggests a tentative and cautious guess, often in formal settings.

take a calculated stab

Suggests a bolder, riskier attempt at guessing, though still informed.

FAQs

How can I use "make an educated guess" in a sentence?

You can use "make an educated guess" to indicate that you are forming an opinion or estimate based on available knowledge and information. For example, "I don't know the exact number, but I can "make an educated guess" based on the data we have".

What phrases are similar to "make an educated guess"?

Similar phrases include "offer an informed opinion", "formulate a hypothesis", or "draw a plausible inference". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it appropriate to use "make an educated guess" in formal writing?

Yes, "make an educated guess" can be appropriate in formal writing, especially when explaining the reasoning behind an estimate or prediction. However, in highly technical or scientific contexts, more precise terms like "formulate a hypothesis" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "make an educated guess" and "guess"?

"Guess" simply means to form an opinion or estimate without necessarily having any particular knowledge. "Make an educated guess" implies that the opinion or estimate is based on some level of knowledge, experience, or reasoning.