simple guess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simple guess" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to an easy or straightforward assumption or estimation. For example: "My simple guess is that it will rain tomorrow." Alternative expressions include "easy guess" and "basic guess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In ordinary times, it's very, very hard for structural models to beat a random walk – that is, models based on an attempt to track the forces moving the exchange rate, such as changes in prices and changes in monetary policy, are barely if at all better than the simple guess that tomorrow's exchange rate will be the same as today's.

The New York Times

Cognitive neuroscientist Patrick Haggard of University College London says that because a kicker may try to disguise his true intentions, by and large the goalkeeper's decision is a simple guess.

Science Magazine

The distribution of misclassification errors between the trained machine and simple guess (the class label was predicted based on the majority class in the training data set) were compared by the Friedman Rank Sum test.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The activities range from relatively simple guess-the-error problems to complex puzzles involving arrays and mapping coordinates.

The New York Times - Tech

We also asked whether greater activation is associated with the maintenance of incorrectly encoded internal representations (i.e., false memory) than simple guesses, we compared false memory trials with correct guess trials (figures are not shown).

Plosone

"But that's too simple, I guess".

The New Yorker

Barry's answer to those who might challenge its verisimilitude is simple: "I guess love laughs at history a little".

The Guardian - Books

Solving J ′ yields to a simple initial guess θ → 0 = ∠ F † f →. (33).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The fact that unauthorized document access is a simple password guess or government "request" away already works against them.

TechCrunch

This contest is simple: simply guess how many bathroom breaks my wife and I took along the 3,200 road trip.

TechCrunch

If it's really that simple, I guess that explains Good Charlotte.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "simple guess", ensure the context clarifies that the estimation is basic and lacks thorough analysis. Avoid using it when precision is required.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "simple guess" as a definitive conclusion. Qualify it with phrases like "it's just my simple guess" to indicate its speculative nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simple guess" functions as a noun phrase, where "simple" modifies "guess". It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing the nature of an estimation or assumption. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simple guess" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a basic or preliminary estimation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it accurately portrays an assumption lacking detailed analysis. While not overly formal, it is acceptable in neutral to informal contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overstating the certainty of the guess. Related phrases like "basic estimation" or "easy assumption" can provide suitable alternatives depending on the context. With careful application, "simple guess" serves as a useful descriptor in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy assumption

Stresses the lack of complexity in the belief or supposition.

basic estimation

Focuses on the fundamental nature of the calculation.

straightforward estimation

Highlights the direct and uncomplicated nature of the estimation.

initial assessment

Focuses on the starting point of an evaluation or judgment.

rough calculation

Emphasizes the approximate and not precise aspect of the guess.

quick estimation

Highlights the speed and lack of deliberation in the estimation process.

elementary prediction

Highlights the fundamental and uncomplicated aspect of forecasting.

primary supposition

Emphasizes the initial and foundational aspect of the assumption.

rudimentary assessment

Focuses on the basic and initial nature of the assessment.

naive assumption

Implies a lack of experience or sophistication in the assumption.

FAQs

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

You can use "simple guess" to describe an estimation or assumption that is basic and lacks detailed analysis. For example: "My "simple guess" is that the project will be completed on time."

What can I say instead of "simple guess"?

You can use alternatives like "basic estimation", "easy assumption", or "rough calculation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "simple guess" in formal writing?

While "simple guess" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as too informal for certain formal contexts. In such cases, consider using more precise terms like "initial assessment" or "preliminary estimate".

What's the difference between "simple guess" and "educated guess"?

A "simple guess" implies a basic estimation without much thought or information. An "educated guess", on the other hand, suggests that the estimation is based on some knowledge or experience, even if it's not a precise calculation.