to estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the act of making an approximate calculation or judgment about a quantity or value. Example: "We need to estimate the total cost of the project before we proceed with the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Impossible to estimate.

The New York Times - Health

Otherwise, you'll have to estimate.

The New York Times

Now they're too numerous to estimate.

Independent

To appreciate was to estimate justly.

The New Yorker

He is here to estimate, not esteem.

The New Yorker

Hearst officials declined to estimate the cost.

The New York Times - Arts

He declined to estimate the cost savings.

The New York Times

"To what extent, it's hard to estimate.

The New York Times

No one bothered to estimate its value.

The New York Times

Do some internet research to estimate costs.

Stanford University

Here's why it's hard to estimate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to estimate", clearly state the basis of your calculation or judgment to provide context and increase credibility. For instance, mention the data, assumptions, or methods used in your estimation.

Common error

Avoid presenting estimations as precise figures. Qualify your estimates with terms like "approximately", "roughly", or "around" to indicate the inherent uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to estimate" is as an infinitive verb. It often serves as the main verb in a sentence expressing the action of making an approximate calculation or judgment, as evidenced by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to estimate" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive phrase that expresses the act of making an approximate calculation or judgment. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and appears across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific publications and academic writing. While its use is widespread, it's important to be aware of the potential for overstating accuracy by clarifying the assumptions, context and/or data used to perform the estimation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to approximate

Focuses on finding a value that is close to the correct answer, implying a degree of imprecision.

to gauge

Suggests measuring or assessing something, often when direct measurement is not possible.

to assess

Implies a more thorough and careful evaluation.

to evaluate

Similar to assess, but can also refer to the worth or value of something.

to reckon

Suggests a mental calculation or judgment, often based on one's own opinion or experience.

to calculate roughly

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the calculation.

to make an approximation

Focuses on the process of creating an estimate, rather than the estimate itself.

to form an opinion

Suggests coming to a conclusion based on available information.

to project

Implies predicting a future value based on current data.

to judge

Focuses on forming an opinion about something, often subjectively.

FAQs

How can I use "to estimate" in a sentence?

You can use "to estimate" when you want to express the act of making an approximate calculation or judgment about a quantity or value. For instance, "We need "to estimate" the total cost of the project".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "to estimate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to approximate", "to assess", or "to gauge".

Which is correct, "to estimate" or "estimating"?

"To estimate" is the infinitive form of the verb, while "estimating" is the gerund or present participle. Use "to estimate" after auxiliary verbs like "need" or "want", and "estimating" as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense.

What's the difference between "to estimate" and "to predict"?

"To estimate" involves making an approximate calculation or judgment based on available data, while "to predict" involves forecasting a future event or value. Estimations often deal with present or past data, while predictions deal with the future.