Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

reckon

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reckon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to express an opinion, belief, or estimation about something. Example: "I reckon we should leave early to avoid traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were relegated but many people associated with the club still reckon it was worth it.

At present, plenty of people in the out camp reckon that if Farage is their leading voice, they will lose.

Banking analysts reckon that Standard Chartered needs to sort out its balance sheet, and could do so via a 30% cut in its dividend or a rights issue.

You'd reckon, at first glance, that Rupert Murdoch's own game of thrones was well nigh over.

News & Media

The Guardian

Economists reckon Britain probably posted meagre growth in the last quarter, following the 0.3% contraction in Q4 2011.

I reckon if you started counting everyone you'd get to about 6,500 and find there are fewer in actual attendance.

I reckon that, with the waiting time and security checks at airports, it's actually faster than flying.

News & Media

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 8.32am AEST23:32 Now I reckon this is the standout winner in the 'curiouser and curiouser' category this morning.

News & Media

The Guardian

But there are almost no proper scientists left who reckon we don't cause climate change.

News & Media

The Guardian

But it was all over in time for my daughter to catch the Nigeria v Argentina World Cup game that evening, during which she seemed to reckon everything was miles offside.

"This is less than five kilometres from the sprint finish at the end of the 198 kilometre stage and could well be critical in deciding the Stage winner," reckon the council.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reckon" to express a personal opinion or estimation, especially in informal contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "believe" or "estimate".

Common error

Avoid using "reckon" in formal or academic writing. Its informal nature can undermine the credibility of your arguments. Opt for more formal alternatives like "believe", "estimate", or "conclude" to maintain a professional tone.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The verb "reckon" primarily functions as a verb expressing belief, opinion, or calculation. Ludwig AI examples show its use in contexts ranging from informal opinions to estimations. Its versatility is highlighted by Ludwig AI in different written contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reckon" is a versatile verb used to express opinions, estimations, or calculations. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI highlights that its informality makes it more suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing. For professional or academic contexts, alternatives such as "believe", "estimate", or "conclude" are preferred. Ludwig's analysis of sources reveals that it is very common in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science domains, confirming its wide but context-dependent applicability.

FAQs

What does "reckon" mean?

"Reckon" generally means to think, suppose, or calculate. It is often used to express an opinion or make an estimate.

How to use "reckon" in a sentence?

You can use "reckon" to express an opinion, as in "I "think" we should leave now" or "I "estimate" it will take two hours".

What can I say instead of "reckon"?

You can use alternatives like "believe", ""think"", ""estimate"", or "suppose" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "reckon" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "reckon" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more professional alternatives like "believe" or ""estimate"".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: