random guessing

USAGE SUMMARY

"random guessing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a guess (or guesses) that are not based on any logical reasoning or evidence. For example: "In order to figure out the correct answer, he resorted to random guessing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The average expert did only slightly better than random guessing.

The Economist

In comparison, random guessing on the exam's multiple-choice component yields an expected raw score of 15percentt.

The New York Times

Instead, they identified the bird and fish names correctly 58percentt of the time, significantly more often than expected for random guessing.

The New York Times - Science

Since no points are deducted for leaving an answer blank, random guessing is not recommended on the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT or SAT subject tests.

The New York Times

Perfect indistinguishability coincides with random guessing.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This performance is superior to random guessing, but poor compared to results achieved by computational techniques.

Computers & Graphics

(There's only 1 chance in 256 that random guessing could deliver such consistency).

Forbes

Of course, this rule will make predictions that are significantly better than random guessing.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Following is the comparison of the framework with a baseline random guessing and an exhaustive framework.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

In the traditional AdaBoost algorithm, the learner is weak and just slightly better than random guessing.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

They suggest estimating the performance of random guessing using a Monte Carlo scheme which unfortunately excludes some correct guesses.

Information and Software Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "random guessing" to clearly convey the absence of reasoning or informed decision-making in situations where choices are made.

Common error

While "random guessing" is widely understood, avoid its overuse in formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "stochastic method" or "uninformed selection" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "random guessing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often describing a method or approach that relies on chance rather than informed decision-making. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contrasting informed predictions with those based on pure chance. The Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "random guessing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict scenarios where choices are made arbitrarily, lacking any reasoned basis. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is commonly found in scientific and news contexts, serving as a benchmark to evaluate decision-making processes. While its neutral-to-formal tone makes it versatile, more specific alternatives might be apt in certain academic settings. Remember to use "random guessing" to denote the absence of informed decision-making, acknowledging its practical role in diverse communicative situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chance selection

Emphasizes the selection process being based on chance.

arbitrary choice

Highlights the lack of a specific reason or system in making the choice.

haphazard selection

Stresses the lack of planning or organization in the selection.

indiscriminate selection

Highlights the absence of careful distinction or criteria.

pure guesswork

Focuses on the guessing aspect without any information or knowledge.

blind choice

Emphasizes the lack of awareness or information during the selection.

hit-or-miss approach

Highlights the uncertainty and low probability of success.

unsystematic selection

Focuses on the lack of a methodical approach in the selection process.

speculative selection

Emphasizes the speculative nature and lack of concrete evidence.

coin flip decision

Suggests a decision made by a random and binary event.

FAQs

How can I describe a situation where someone is making choices without any knowledge?

You can use the phrase "random guessing". It implies choices made without any reasoning or informed decision-making.

What is the difference between "random guessing" and speculation?

"Random guessing" implies a complete lack of knowledge, while speculation involves forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence. Although both involve uncertainty, speculation usually has some basis, however weak, while "chance selection" is purely arbitrary.

When is it appropriate to use "random guessing" in academic writing?

"Random guessing" can be used to describe a baseline or control condition in experiments or simulations, especially when comparing against methods that incorporate some form of informed decision-making. It's often used in scientific contexts to compare if the results are better than "pure guesswork".

Are there more formal alternatives to "random guessing"?

Yes, in formal contexts, consider using terms like "arbitrary choice", "uninformed selection", or "stochastic method" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.