JOY
What's the difference between "estimate" and " forecast"?
I never thought I would be troubled by the two words until today.
1 Economists estimate that a 5% reduction will cause the price of oil to rise.
2 Experts forecast that only a few people will be able to run cars in the future.
I get confused by the two sentences. I feel the two words can be put in either of the sentences. However, the only difference I could think of is that maybe " estimate" is always followed by some exact figures.
I hope someone can help me with that. Thank you.
2014年10月18日 14:39
解答 · 11
2
You are right. They mean the same, but estimate is usually used when a an actual value is used.
2014年10月18日
1
I agree with Kevin : to estimate is to guess. It may be an informed guess, based on reliable data, but it is still only a guess.
If something is forecast it is predicted. A personal makes a forecast or prediction with more certainty than an estimate.
2014年10月18日
1
Estimate means to guess. Forecast means to predict something that will happen in the future. The difference is forecast is always about GUESSING ABOUT THE FUTURE, whereas estimate can be GUESSING ABOUT the future, present, past, etc., depending on the context in which it is used.
2014年10月18日
1
No offense to Jacob, but his answer is incorrect. The difference has nothing to do with the accuracy of the value in question.
2014年10月18日
The other difference is that "forecast" is always followed by a future form, but "estimate" can be followed by any tense.
2014年10月18日
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