make an estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make an estimate" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to talk about calculating the approximate amount or size of something. For example: "I will have to make an estimate of how much paint we need for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm not going to make an estimate," he said.

The Guardian

2 53pm: But does it make an estimate, Fallon says.

The Guardian

"If it's completely completely crazy or unusual, I make an estimate".

The New Yorker

"There are so many dead I cannot make an estimate," he told RAI state television.

The Guardian

But sometimes there are not enough data to make an estimate.

Harvard Business Review

We use that data to make an estimate on the size of the expected vote at each location.

The Washington Post

The short answer is that no one knows, but the government is trying to make an estimate by creating a master list of all known and suspected terrorists.

The New York Times

Unless you know what's going on or what everybody's doing, there's no reason to make an estimate, because you don't know".

The New York Times - Sports

Unique to the MLOO approach, we first make an estimate of the stochastic process given our observations, which is then used to determine what parameters to try next.

Nature

The group says it's hard to make an estimate in part because many contractors identify themselves as defense firms, not intelligence shops.

The Washington Post

To confirm a level of service reliability with confidence, reliability validation test is presented to make an estimate of the number of samples required to survive the tests.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an estimate", clearly state the basis for your estimation to enhance credibility. Include relevant data or assumptions to support your calculation.

Common error

Avoid presenting an estimate as a definitive value. Always acknowledge the inherent uncertainty and potential margin of error when you "make an estimate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an estimate" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of forming an approximate calculation or judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and widely used expression. It involves assessing available information to arrive at a rough figure or value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make an estimate" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of creating an approximate calculation or judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, showcasing its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure you provide a basis for your estimation to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "provide an estimation" or "offer a rough calculation" can be used to vary your language while retaining a similar meaning. Avoid presenting estimates as exact figures to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide an estimation

Replaces "make" with "provide", emphasizing the act of supplying an estimate rather than the process of creating it.

determine an approximation

Replaces "make an estimate" with "determine an approximation", indicating a more formal and analytical approach.

offer a rough calculation

Substitutes "estimate" with "rough calculation", indicating a less precise approximation.

give an approximate figure

Uses "approximate figure" instead of "estimate", highlighting the numerical aspect of the estimation.

assess the approximate cost

Focuses specifically on estimating costs, making it suitable for financial contexts.

work out a projection

Suggests a forward-looking estimate, often based on current data and trends.

form a judgment

Replaces "make an estimate" with a broader term, suggesting a general assessment rather than a precise calculation.

gauge the potential impact

Shifts the focus to assessing the potential effects or consequences, often used in strategic planning.

arrive at an educated guess

Implies that the estimate is based on knowledge and experience, but still somewhat speculative.

put forward a tentative evaluation

Highlights the provisional and uncertain nature of the estimate.

FAQs

How can I use "make an estimate" in a sentence?

You can use "make an estimate" to describe the process of forming an approximate judgment or calculation. For example, "The contractor will "make an estimate" of the repair costs before starting the work."

What is a more formal way to say "make an estimate"?

More formal alternatives include "provide an estimation", "determine an approximation", or "offer a projection". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "make an estimate" and "provide an exact calculation"?

"Make an estimate" implies an approximate value based on available information, while "provide an exact calculation" suggests a precise value derived from specific data and formulas. Estimates are less precise and may involve assumptions.

When is it appropriate to "make an estimate" rather than calculating an exact figure?

It's appropriate to "make an estimate" when precise data is unavailable, when a quick approximation is sufficient, or when the situation involves inherent uncertainty. In situations where accuracy is crucial and data is available, an exact calculation is preferable.