matter of guesswork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matter of guesswork" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or decisions that rely on speculation or estimation rather than certainty. Example: "The outcome of the experiment was largely a matter of guesswork, as we had limited data to work with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

COPYRIGHT law is so often a matter of guesswork and loopholes, small print and obscure provisions.

The New York Times

The explanation for a smattering of polyandry in humans, however, remains a matter of guesswork for anthropologists.

The Economist

The number of new homes bought in the U.S. in a given month doesn't need to be a matter of guesswork: the data's out there.

The New Yorker

But the stakes could be higher still.Though British reserves of shale gas are still largely a matter of guesswork, some estimates point to rather large stocks.

The Economist

The government has not ordered a nationwide survey of children's blood lead levels, so the number of children who are at risk is purely a matter of guesswork.

The New York Times

(In areas where style of performance is largely a matter of guesswork, Mr. Renz does not hesitate to gussy up arrangements).

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But when the money is the lira, whose zeroes make Italian banknotes look like board-game currency, the value of such a licence is a matter of some guesswork.One recent guess comes from Istituto Bancario San Paolo di Torino, Italy's largest commercial bank.

The Economist

How many horses and ponies have been abandoned is a matter of informed guesswork.

The New York Times

The placement of the pipe was a matter of informed guesswork by mining engineers poring over maps, he said.

The New York Times

Calculating the amount the city needs to contribute toward future pensions is a matter of educated guesswork — and our city, like many others, has mostly, deliberately guessed low.

The New York Times

I don't know of any objective, quantitative way to decide which position is right; it's a matter of educated guesswork.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "matter of guesswork", ensure the context clearly indicates that a precise or definitive answer is unavailable or unattainable. Provide some justification for why guesswork is involved to maintain transparency and credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "matter of guesswork" as a definitive fact. Clearly signal the speculative nature of the claim to prevent misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter of guesswork" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or an object of a preposition. As Ludwig AI shows, it frequently describes situations where precise knowledge is lacking, and conclusions are based on estimation or conjecture.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "matter of guesswork" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey uncertainty or a reliance on speculation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptance and provides numerous examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times, The Economist and The Guardian. Although suitable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, careful consideration should be given to the level of formality required. When definitive information is unavailable, using phrases such as "educated estimation" can provide suitable alternatives. It’s important to acknowledge the speculative nature of claims made using this phrase to maintain transparency and avoid misleading audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

educated estimation

Suggests a guess based on some level of knowledge or experience, implying a degree of informed speculation.

uncertain prediction

Focuses on the predictive aspect, highlighting the uncertainty associated with the prediction.

conjectural assessment

Focuses on the assessment aspect, indicating that the evaluation is based on conjecture rather than facts.

assumptive reasoning

Emphasizes the role of assumptions in the reasoning process, suggesting that the conclusion is contingent on the validity of those assumptions.

speculative endeavor

Emphasizes the speculative nature of the activity, highlighting its reliance on conjecture.

presumptive evaluation

Emphasizes that the evaluation is based on presumption rather than definite knowledge, indicating a degree of uncertainty.

tenuous conclusion

Implies that the conclusion is weakly supported by evidence, making it prone to doubt.

probabilistic inference

Highlights the use of probability to infer a conclusion, indicating uncertainty and reliance on likelihood.

risky proposition

Suggests that the proposition is based on uncertain grounds, making it potentially dangerous or unreliable.

haphazard judgment

Implies that the judgment is made randomly or without careful consideration, suggesting a lack of reliability.

FAQs

How can I use "matter of guesswork" in a sentence?

You can use "matter of guesswork" to describe situations where information is incomplete or unreliable, forcing reliance on estimation or speculation. For example, "Predicting the stock market's behavior is often a "matter of guesswork"".

What phrases are similar to "matter of guesswork"?

Similar phrases include "speculative endeavor", "conjectural assessment", or "educated estimation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "matter of guesswork" in formal writing?

While "matter of guesswork" is generally acceptable, it's crucial to ensure that its use aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your writing. In formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "estimation" or "projection" if suitable.

What's the difference between "matter of guesswork" and "matter of opinion"?

"Matter of guesswork" implies a lack of definitive information, whereas "matter of opinion" indicates a subjective judgment based on personal preferences or beliefs. Guesswork is about filling gaps in knowledge, while opinion is about personal perspective.