we guess

USAGE SUMMARY

"we guess" can be used in written English.
It is used to express an opinion or speculation about something without being sure of it. Example: We guess that the new movie will have a good storyline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We guess; they know.

The New Yorker

Can we guess your age?

Independent

We guess she didn't recognize us.

The New York Times

"Bloodless, we guess, being the apposite term.

The Guardian - Film

Could we guess the secret ingredient?

The Guardian - Travel

So we guess she's really coming.

The New Yorker

We guess it also makes him a gastronaut.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To Pennsylvania, we guess, ahead of their primary next month.

The New York Times

The man to please everybody, we guess, is the fellow who conceived the Dymaxion House.

The New Yorker

Can we guess what a person's crime is just by looking at his portrait?

The New Yorker

Can we guess?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing academic or scientific content, limit the use of "we guess" and favor stronger language, as it might weaken your argument. If uncertainty must be expressed, qualify it through methods and statistical analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "we guess" excessively in formal writing such as academic papers or business reports. It can make your analysis appear less credible. Instead, opt for phrases like "we hypothesize" or "it is our understanding" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we guess" serves as an epistemic modal, indicating a degree of uncertainty or speculation. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase precedes an opinion or assumption, suggesting that the speaker is not entirely certain about the statement being made. The Ludwig AI confirms that it's acceptable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we guess" is a common phrase used to express an opinion or speculation, indicating a level of uncertainty. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its acceptability in written English. While the phrase appears across various contexts, it's most prevalent in news and media. For formal writing, it’s advisable to consider more precise and authoritative alternatives. The high expert rating and Ludwig's data show that "we guess" is suitable for everyday communication but should be used judiciously in professional or academic contexts to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our guess is

Offers a more direct declaration of what the speaker believes to be true.

it is our guess

Rephrases the expression to emphasize that it is a personal estimation.

we assume

Indicates a supposition based on some evidence but without proof.

it's our assumption

Highlights that the statement is based on an assumption.

we presume

Implies a belief based on probability or likelihood.

we surmise

Suggests forming a conclusion from incomplete evidence; more formal.

we speculate

Highlights the act of making conjectures without firm evidence.

we infer

Indicates drawing a conclusion based on reasoning from evidence.

we reckon

A more informal way of saying 'we think' or 'we suppose'.

we estimate

Implies making an approximate calculation or judgment.

FAQs

What does "we guess" mean?

"We guess" is a phrase used to express an opinion, assumption, or speculation about something without being completely certain. It indicates a level of uncertainty.

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

You can use "we guess" to introduce a statement that is based on an assumption or limited evidence. For example, "We guess it will rain later, based on the dark clouds".

What are some alternatives to "we guess"?

Alternatives to "we guess" include phrases like "we assume", "we presume", or "it is our guess", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

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

While "we guess" is acceptable in many contexts, it may be too informal for academic or professional writing. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "we hypothesize" or "we conclude".