possible guess

USAGE SUMMARY

"possible guess" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a conjecture or hypothesis that may or may not be accurate. For example, "My possible guess is that the meeting will be rescheduled." Alternative expressions include "tentative guess" and "likely guess."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And so Apple adds to that security with a second layer of security, built not into the iPhone's encryption, but into the operating system itself: the more wrong guesses there are, the longer the delay between entries, eventually rising to an hour between each possible guess.

The Guardian - Tech

Analysts and market researchers will be plugging away at retail and other sources to try to determine the split, however, so it's possible we could eventually see some sort of consensus estimate emerge as a best possible guess.

TechCrunch

In sum, the codes given in the current review of cases represented the best possible guess in cases in which the information was primarily non-medically confirmed.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To this end, randomisation will be made in blocks with random sequences of block sizes of 4 or 8 respectively (a separate list for each site) to avoid possible guessing of some allocations.

BMC Pediatrics

ROBERT: I don't remember.... It's possible, I guess.

The New Yorker

With experience, it becomes possible to guess the AQI in Beijing without looking at official readings.

The Guardian

It's possible to guess at Murdoch's calculation here — though, as usual, he was taking a gamble.

The New Yorker

A universal principle of home construction makes it possible to guess which door will lead to the master bedroom.

The New Yorker

It's possible, I guess, that my generation will remain liberal on social issues (like gay marriage) and conservative when it comes to foreign affairs and national security.

The New York Times

He suddenly realized that it would be possible to guess crucial information about the protocol that domain name servers use to convert the numerical Web addresses.

The New York Times - Tech

How can we say anything interesting if it's thought possible to guess the kind of work I make at my age, 27?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possible guess" when conveying uncertainty or lack of definitive information, but ensure the context provides some basis for the speculation. For instance, "Based on the available data, a "possible guess" is that sales will increase next quarter".

Common error

Avoid using "possible guess" when you have concrete data or evidence. Overusing this phrase can undermine the credibility of your statements, making you appear unsure even when more reliable information is available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible guess" functions as a noun phrase where "possible" modifies the noun "guess". It serves to qualify a prediction or estimation as being within the realm of what could occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possible guess" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express speculation or conjecture. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to recognize its relatively rare occurrence and to choose more precise synonyms like "potential estimate" or "likely conjecture" based on the context. Though suitable for various contexts, it's most frequently found in news, media and scientific domains. Remember, use "possible guess" when you want to express uncertainty and highlight the speculative nature of your estimation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential estimate

Replaces "guess" with "estimate", focusing on a more calculated approximation.

likely conjecture

Substitutes "guess" with "conjecture", suggesting a more formal and speculative assessment.

plausible hypothesis

Replaces "guess" with "hypothesis", indicating a more structured and testable prediction.

reasonable supposition

Uses "supposition" instead of "guess", suggesting an assumption based on some evidence.

educated prediction

Emphasizes the informed nature of the guess, implying some level of expertise or data.

tentative assessment

Highlights the provisional nature of the guess, suggesting it is subject to change.

speculative calculation

Focuses on the speculative aspect, framing the guess as a type of calculation.

rough approximation

Indicates that the guess is not precise but close enough for the purpose.

initial presumption

Highlights that the guess is made at the start before further information is available.

first inkling

Emphasizes the initial or vague nature of the guess, being the first indication of something.

FAQs

How can I use "possible guess" in a sentence?

You can use "possible guess" when you want to suggest a prediction or estimation that may or may not be accurate. For example, "My "possible guess" is that the meeting will be rescheduled", or "Analysts' "possible guess" for the company's revenue is $1 million".

What are some alternatives to "possible guess"?

You can use alternatives like "potential estimate", "likely conjecture", or "plausible hypothesis" depending on the context.

Is "possible guess" formal or informal?

The phrase "possible guess" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the specific purpose of communication. More formal alternatives exist, such as "reasonable supposition".

What's the difference between "possible guess" and "best guess"?

"Possible guess" implies a guess that is merely conceivable or within the realm of possibility. "Best guess" indicates that it is the most accurate or reasonable guess given the available information, implying a higher degree of confidence. You can also consider similar phrases like "educated prediction".