was estimated to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was estimated to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an approximation or assessment of a value, quantity, or outcome in the past. Example: "The project's cost was estimated to be around $1 million."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That work was estimated to bring $20 million to $30 million.

The New York Times - Arts

The population in 2009 was estimated to be 3,200.

The New York Times

In 2007, it was estimated to be 284 million tons.

The New York Times

Grehan's flat was estimated to be worth about £5m.

The Guardian - Business

The repair bill was estimated to be £14m.

The Guardian

The Oakland march was estimated to be 3,500-strong 3,500-strong

The Guardian

Maximum distance traveled was estimated to be 5,500 miles.

The New York Times - Science

The cost was estimated to be 5.1% of Lesotho's GNP.

The Washington Post

Mr. O'Reilly's salary was estimated to be about $18 million.

The New York Times

Overall, the damage was estimated to be about $815 million.

Britannica

The real figure was estimated to be more than £3m.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was estimated to", ensure the source and methodology of the estimation are clear or can be inferred from the context, increasing credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting estimations as definitive facts. Qualify the statement to reflect the inherent uncertainty in estimations. For example, use hedging language like "approximately" or "roughly" to avoid misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was estimated to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an estimation or approximation was made by an unspecified agent. This is shown in Ludwig's examples, where various quantities and outcomes are approximated without naming who made the estimate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was estimated to" is a versatile phrase used to convey approximations or assessments, as validated by Ludwig. It is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge. The phrase serves to communicate values or quantities that have been approximated, maintaining a neutral tone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate to use "was estimated to" when presenting non-definitive figures, ensuring that sources and methodologies are clarified to bolster credibility. Avoiding overstatement is key to accurate and responsible communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was approximated to

Replaces "estimated" with "approximated", emphasizing the inexact nature of the calculation.

was projected to be

Uses "projected" instead of "estimated", suggesting a forecast or prediction based on current data.

was calculated to be

Substitutes "estimated" with "calculated", highlighting a more precise, mathematically-driven assessment.

was assessed to be

Replaces "estimated" with "assessed", indicating an evaluation or judgment was made.

was believed to be

Shifts from an objective calculation to a subjective belief or opinion.

was considered to be

Suggests that something was viewed or thought of in a particular way.

was thought to be

Emphasizes a general opinion or common idea about something.

was gauged to be

Replaces "estimated" with "gauged", implying a measurement or evaluation, often less precise.

was pegged at

Uses "pegged" instead of "estimated", often used in financial contexts to indicate a fixed value.

was forecast to be

Similar to "projected", but often used when discussing future predictions, especially in weather or economic contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "was estimated to" in a sentence?

Use "was estimated to" when you want to express that a value, quantity, or outcome was approximated or assessed in the past. For example, "The project cost "was estimated to" be around $1 million".

What can I say instead of "was estimated to"?

You can use alternatives like "was projected to be", "was calculated to be", or "was assessed to be" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was estimated at" or "was estimated to be"?

Both "was estimated at" and "was estimated to be" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context of the sentence. For example: "The damage "was estimated to" be about $815 million", or "The damage "was estimated at" $815 million."

What's the difference between "was estimated to" and "was expected to"?

"Was estimated to" implies an approximation or calculation, while "was expected to" implies anticipation or prediction. "Was estimated to" is based on data or analysis, whereas "was expected to" is based on assumptions or prior trends.