simply a guess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply a guess" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is not based on certainty or evidence, but rather on speculation. Example: "Without any concrete evidence, I can only say that this is simply a guess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

To Planck, however, it was simply a guess, a "lucky intuition".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The idea to play at night, he said, was simply a guess for when clear skies will come.

The New York Times

The second problem is that the A.P.R. for an adjustable-rate mortgage is simply a guess, because it is calculated by assuming that interest rates will never change.

The New York Times

To Planck, however, it was simply a guess, a "lucky intuition". If it was to be taken seriously, it had to be derived somehow from first principles.

Britannica

My book, "In Search of Deep Throat," may be wrong about Deep Throat's identity, but it was not simply a "guess," as Jonathan Vankin, citing Bob Woodward, writes in his article (The Way We Live Now, Dec. 3).

The New York Times - Magazine

To the layman, a theory is simply a guess or hypothesis that tries to explain an observed phenomenon (Trani 2004); a scientific theory, however, is an explanation of a natural phenomenon based on a large amount of scientific evidence.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Either purchase an app via the App Store or enter here for the Apple contest, and simply leave a guess here for ours.

TechCrunch

Hovering in the background all this time was an alternative approach called Bayesian inference, which allowed you to simply make a guess and then revise your judgement as new information came in.

Forbes

Instead, they simply make a guess.

HuffPost

After learning advanced decoding skills and realizing that making an inference is not simply a wild guess, most students find that their reading scores improve dramatically.

The New York Times

In interviews, scientists involved in writing the paper acknowledged that the 50 percent threshold was simply a best guess, based on extrapolating the earlier research.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply a guess" when you want to downplay the certainty of a statement or acknowledge that it is based on speculation rather than concrete evidence.

Common error

Avoid presenting information as fact when it is "simply a guess". Clearly indicate the level of uncertainty to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply a guess" functions as a qualifier, indicating the speculative nature of a statement or prediction. It modifies the noun "guess", emphasizing its lack of certainty. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simply a guess" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express uncertainty and qualify statements that lack concrete evidence. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While relatively infrequent, it appears across various contexts, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by acknowledging the speculative nature of the information to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mere speculation

Emphasizes the lack of concrete evidence and suggests a high degree of uncertainty.

pure conjecture

Implies a conclusion reached on the basis of incomplete information or guesswork.

rough estimation

Highlights the approximate and inexact nature of the assessment.

wild stab in the dark

Conveys a sense of complete uncertainty and randomness in the attempt.

educated guess

Suggests the guess is based on some knowledge or experience, even if limited.

tentative hypothesis

Frames the guess as a provisional explanation, open to further investigation.

working assumption

Indicates that the guess is being used as a basis for further action or reasoning.

preliminary assessment

Presents the guess as an initial evaluation subject to refinement.

best estimate

Suggests it is the most accurate guess possible given the available information.

ballpark figure

Highlights the broad and approximate nature of the guess, implying it's not precise.

FAQs

What does "simply a guess" mean?

The phrase "simply a guess" means that something is based on speculation or conjecture, rather than on solid evidence or knowledge.

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

You can use "simply a guess" to express uncertainty about a statement, for example: "Without any concrete data, this projection is "merely a conjecture"."

What are some alternatives to saying "simply a guess"?

Alternatives to "simply a guess" include phrases like "mere speculation", "pure conjecture", or "rough estimation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "simply a guess" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "simply a guess" when you want to acknowledge that a statement is not based on certainty or rigorous proof, and is instead based on limited information.