under estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under estimate" is not correct in written English; it should be "underestimate" as a single word.
You can use it when referring to the act of assessing something as less than its actual value or importance. Example: "Many people tend to underestimate the impact of climate change on our planet."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

NEVER NEVER NEVER under estimate headaches.

The Guardian

I think these figures hugely under estimate the scale of the problem.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The QPPS estimator (Eq. 8.2) showed a slight tendency to under-estimate the population mean, but even then, the under-estimate was always less than 1%.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Hence, our estimation of non-fatal LSVRO events may be an under-estimate.

BMC Public Health

Never under-estimate under-promisers.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can't under-estimate how hard it is.

The Guardian - Sport

And don't under-estimate how good England could be.

The Guardian - Sport

"They are in a mess, let's not under-estimate it".

The Guardian

But don't under-estimate what Gary gives to Beckham's game.

The Guardian - Sport

Therefore the estimate in the manuscript is a gross under-estimate.

The Guardian

"You under-estimate we Saffers' bloodymindedness at your peril," says Howard Donaldson.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the single-word form, "underestimate", in your writing to ensure grammatical correctness. This applies to all contexts, whether formal or informal.

Common error

Avoid using "under estimate" as two separate words. This is a common mistake that can detract from the credibility of your writing. Remember to combine the words into "underestimate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under estimate" functions as a verb phrase when incorrectly separated. It attempts to describe the action of assigning too low a value, degree, or force to something. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is the single word "underestimate".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "under estimate" might appear in informal contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is the single word "underestimate". Ludwig AI confirms this, advising users to use the single-word form to avoid errors. The phrase aims to convey the act of assigning too little value or importance to something. Consider alternatives such as "undervalue" or "misjudge" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Always prioritize using the correct form, especially in formal writing, to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underestimate

This is the correct, single-word form of the phrase, representing a direct correction.

undervalue

Focuses on placing insufficient value on something.

misjudge

Emphasizes making an incorrect judgment about something's importance or impact.

miscalculate

Highlights an error in assessing the extent or degree of something.

downplay

Suggests minimizing the significance of something, often intentionally.

discount

Focuses on disregarding or reducing the importance of something.

belittle

Implies making something seem less significant or important.

make light of

Suggests treating something serious as unimportant or trivial.

think too little of

Emphasizes a low opinion or assessment of something.

sell short

Indicates underrating or failing to recognize the true potential or value of something.

FAQs

Is it correct to write "under estimate" as two words?

No, the correct form is the single word "underestimate". "Under estimate" as two separate words is grammatically incorrect.

What does "underestimate" mean?

"Underestimate" means to assess something as being lower, smaller, or less important than it actually is. You can "undervalue" something.

How can I use "underestimate" in a sentence?

You can use "underestimate" in a sentence like this: "It's a mistake to underestimate the power of compound interest." or "Don't underestimate your opponent."

What's the difference between "underestimate" and "overestimate"?

"Underestimate" means to assess something as less than it actually is, while "overestimate" means to assess something as more than it actually is. They are antonyms.