What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overcalculate
Example
He tends to overcalculate his expenses, which leads to unnecessary stress. [overcalculate: verb]
Example
She spent hours overcalculating the measurements for the project, only to realize it was unnecessary. [overcalculating: gerund or present participle]
overestimate
Example
He tends to overestimate his own abilities, which often leads to disappointment. [overestimate: verb]
Example
She tends to overestimate the amount of time it takes to complete a task. [overestimate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overestimate is more commonly used than overcalculate in everyday language. Overestimate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while overcalculate is less common and typically used in technical or specialized contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between overcalculate and overestimate?
Both overcalculate and overestimate are relatively formal words, but overcalculate is more technical and specialized, making it more formal in certain contexts.