merely guessing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely guessing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is making an assumption or estimation without sufficient evidence or certainty. Example: "Without any concrete evidence, we are merely guessing about the reasons for the delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Until either horse goes two turns, probably on April 13 in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, both trainers are merely guessing at how good their colts may be.

The New York Times - Sports

Peter Weltner of San Francisco wrote that he wished The Times had examined what he said were falsehoods in Wright's remarks — like the claim that blacks and whites learn with different parts of their brains — instead of "merely guessing why Mr. Wright said it".

The New York Times

In terms of our example, if the lady is merely guessing, then it may be more probable that the researcher gets peckish out of sheer boredom, than if the lady performs far below or above chance level.

SEP

An information agent knows that the battery is flat not by merely guessing rightly, but because e.g., it perceives that the red light of the low battery indicator flashing and/or that the engine does not start.

SEP

Besides this method, there are other ways at a thief's disposal for password cracking such as by merely guessing your password (using your pet's name is a common mistake), by using tools such as keyloggers, phishing attacks, social engineering, dumpster diving, peeking over your shoulder, or of course, buying it directly from cyber thieves like CyberVor, etc.

TechCrunch

Until someone reveals the president's intentions, beyond merely guessing, we can at least consider the benefits of his latest visit to the region.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Not that anyone need merely guess.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Nick chats with the irritable millionaire whose son is secretly his lover, all meaning is merely guessed at.

The Guardian - Books

In more than 60 years on the throne, her views have remained so well concealed that most of her subjects can merely guess at them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Truman Capote's cool, sweet slip of a novella, Breakfast at Tiffany's, is a voyeuristic variation on the theme, in which the narrator can merely guess how Lulamae Barnes, a wild child from a Texas backwater, became the glamorous Holly Golightly; it is a transformation that could only have happened in New York.

The Guardian - Books

For this kind of view to yield the right results, we cannot count as 'being able to predict a process' if we merely guess rightly about its outcomes.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merely guessing", ensure the context clearly indicates a lack of substantial evidence or information to support the claim or statement. This adds emphasis to the speculative nature of the assertion.

Common error

Avoid presenting information based on "merely guessing" as if it were a confirmed fact. Clearly indicate the uncertainty and speculative nature of the statement to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely guessing" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the action of guessing. It indicates that the guessing is done without a solid basis or factual information. As Ludwig AI indicates, it conveys a sense of speculation or conjecture. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely guessing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a speculative or uncertain assertion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and suitable for expressing assumptions lacking concrete evidence. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to informal register. For more formal writing, alternatives such as "simply speculating" or "purely surmising" may be more appropriate. When using "merely guessing", it is crucial to clearly indicate the speculative nature of the statement to avoid misleading readers. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its varied application across different fields, emphasizing the importance of context in its interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply speculating

Focuses on the act of forming theories or conjectures without firm evidence, similar to guessing but often implying more thought.

just conjecturing

Implies forming an opinion or supposition about something on the basis of incomplete information.

purely surmising

Highlights that the conclusion is based on inference and little evidence, similar to guessing but more formal.

only hypothesizing

Emphasizes the speculative nature of the statement, presenting it as a tentative explanation.

blindly estimating

Suggests the estimation is made without any knowledge or guidance, emphasizing the lack of information.

randomly presuming

Adds the element of randomness to the assumption, indicating there's no particular basis for it.

vaguely inferring

Indicates that the conclusion is drawn indirectly and with a lack of precision.

tentatively assuming

Shows the assumption is made cautiously and without strong conviction.

lightly speculating

Emphasizes the lack of depth or seriousness in the speculation.

casually estimating

Suggests the estimation is made in a relaxed or informal manner.

FAQs

How can I use "merely guessing" in a sentence?

You can use "merely guessing" to indicate that a statement is based on speculation rather than solid evidence. For example, "Without more data, we are "merely guessing" at the cause of the problem".

What are some alternatives to saying "merely guessing"?

Alternatives include "simply speculating", "just conjecturing", or "purely surmising". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "merely guessing" in formal writing?

While "merely guessing" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as informal in some formal contexts. Consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "purely surmising" or "only hypothesizing" to maintain a formal tone.

What's the difference between "merely guessing" and "making an informed guess"?

"Merely guessing" implies a lack of solid information or reasoning, whereas "making an informed guess" suggests that the guess is based on some knowledge or experience, even if it's not definitive. An educated guess is more than "merely guessing".