estimate

estimate — verb

1. to try to judge the size, cost, value, or amount of something, often by using av

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to try to judge the size, cost, value, or amount of something, often by using available information rather than counting or measuring exactly

例句

The builder estimated the cost of repairing the roof at around two thousand dollars.

estimate + noun + at + amount

Megan estimated that the journey from London to Edinburgh would take about five hours by car.

estimate + that-clause

同義詞
  • calculate

    more precise and mathematical; implies exact measurement or computation rather than approximation

  • gauge

    suggests judging an amount or extent by observation or experience rather than by calculation

  • approximate

    focuses on giving a rough number without claiming accuracy; more informal than 'estimate'

文法句型

estimate + noun phrase

estimate + noun + at + amount

estimate + that-clause

estimate + wh-word clause

estimate + noun + to be + complement

用法筆記

Frequently used with the prepositions 'at' (estimate the damage at £2,000) and 'to be' (estimate the population to be 50,000). In professional and business contexts, the passive form is very common: The project was estimated to cost nearly a million pounds.

常見錯誤

❌I estimated the price exactly.
✅I estimated the price roughly.
💡an estimate is always approximate, so avoid using it with words like 'exactly' or 'precisely.'
❌He estimated the answer and got it right.
✅He guessed the answer and got it right.
💡'estimate' suggests a reasoned judgment using information, not a random guess.

2. to form an opinion about what is likely to happen or be true, based on the facts

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to form an opinion about what is likely to happen or be true, based on the facts you know

例句

The government estimates that the new policy will create around ten thousand new jobs next year.

estimate + that-clause for future prediction

Noor estimated from the dark clouds that a storm was moving in from the coast.

estimate + from + evidence + that-clause

同義詞
  • reckon

    more informal and common in British English; can mean the same as 'believe likely'

  • judge

    broader than 'estimate' in sense 2; can also imply a formal or legal evaluation

  • believe

    less analytical than 'estimate'; focuses on personal conviction rather than a reasoned opinion

文法句型

estimate + that-clause

用法筆記

Almost always followed by a that-clause. Less common than sense 1 in everyday conversation and more typical of formal or analytical contexts such as economics, weather forecasting, and project planning.

常見錯誤

❌I estimate him as a kind person.
✅I consider him a kind person.
💡for personal opinions about character or quality, use 'consider,' 'regard,' or 'judge' rather than 'estimate.'

estimate — noun