What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
estimated
Example
The estimated time of arrival is 3 PM. [estimated: adjective]
Example
We estimated the cost of the project to be around $10,000. [estimated: verb]
tentative
Example
The date for the meeting is tentative and may change. [tentative: adjective]
Example
We made a tentative plan to go camping next weekend. [tentative: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Estimated is more commonly used than tentative in everyday language, especially in quantitative or numerical contexts. Tentative is less common and is often used in professional or formal settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between estimated and tentative?
Both estimated and tentative are commonly used in professional or formal settings, but tentative may be perceived as less formal due to its connotation of uncertainty or indecisiveness.