provide an estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'provide an estimate' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when requesting or offering an approximation or prediction of a quantity or outcome. Example: "Can you please provide an estimate of the total cost for the project?" or "We need to provide an estimate of sales for the next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It did not provide an estimate.

The New York Times

(Frank declined to provide an estimate).

The New Yorker

He could not provide an estimate for the value of the steel.

The New York Times

Prosecutors were unable to provide an estimate of the total amount of money involved.

The New York Times

Admiral Jeremiah declined to provide an estimate on how much the panel's recommendations would cost.

The New York Times

Citigroup did not provide an estimate of the value of the options.

The New York Times

The police and concert organizers did not provide an estimate of the size of the crowd.

The New York Times

Lloyd's of London, which provided substantial coverage, has refused to provide an estimate.

The New York Times

Ikea would not provide an estimate of how much money it lost by closing.

The New York Times

The Gore campaign disputed Mr. Bush's figure but could not provide an estimate of its own.

The New York Times

State officials said there were clearly livestock losses, but were reluctant to provide an estimate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provide an estimate", ensure you clarify the basis of your estimation, such as data sources or assumptions. This enhances transparency and credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting an estimate as a definitive figure. Instead, use qualifiers like "approximately" or "in the range of" to indicate inherent uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide an estimate" functions as a verbal phrase used to offer a preliminary calculation or approximation. This is evident in the provided examples by Ludwig, where various entities either decline to "provide an estimate" due to uncertainty or are actively working to create one.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provide an estimate" is a useful and commonly used expression, especially in business, news, and scientific contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves the purpose of offering a preliminary calculation when precise figures aren't available. While grammatically correct and versatile, remember to qualify estimates appropriately and avoid presenting them as definitive values. When a close alternative is needed, consider options like "offer a quote" or "supply a projection", depending on the desired level of formality and precision. While the analyzed phrase is commonly used across diverse contexts, remember to be clear about the basis of your calculation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a quote

Uses "offer" instead of "provide" and "quote" which implies a firm price rather than a general estimate.

furnish an approximation

Employs more formal vocabulary; "furnish" instead of "provide" and "approximation" instead of "estimate".

supply a projection

Uses "supply" instead of "provide" and replaces "estimate" with "projection", implying a forecast based on data.

present a calculation

Indicates a more detailed and mathematically-derived estimate.

advance a prediction

More formal and suggests forecasting future events.

give a rough idea

Replaces "estimate" with a more informal expression, suggesting a less precise approximation.

render a valuation

Suggests a formal appraisal or assessment of value.

offer a ballpark figure

Uses idiomatic language to convey an approximate value.

set out a budget

Implies a financial plan or forecast, often more detailed than a simple estimate.

make a guesstimate

Combines "guess" and "estimate", suggesting a less rigorous approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "provide an estimate" when you need to offer an approximate calculation or prediction. For example, "The contractor will "provide an estimate" for the renovation costs".

What are some alternatives to "provide an estimate"?

Alternatives include "offer a quote", "give a rough idea", or "supply a projection" depending on the context and level of precision required.

Is it better to "provide an estimate" or "give a precise figure"?

The choice depends on the availability of data and the purpose of the communication. "Provide an estimate" is suitable when exact figures are unavailable or unnecessary, while "give a precise figure" is appropriate when accuracy is paramount and achievable.

What's the difference between "provide an estimate" and "conduct an assessment"?

"Provide an estimate" typically refers to offering a numerical approximation, whereas "conduct an assessment" involves a more comprehensive evaluation that may include both quantitative and qualitative data. An assessment might lead to an estimate, but it's a broader process.