What is the past tense of "estimate"?

The past simple of "estimate" is "estimated". The contractor estimated the project would cost five thousand dollars.

What is the past participle of "estimate"?

The past participle of "estimate" is "estimated". Use it after have/has/had: "I have estimated".

What is a common mistake with "estimate"?

Wrong: "The contractor estimated the job in two weeks.". Correct: "The contractor estimated the job would take two weeks.". Use 'estimate that' or 'estimate how long'; 'in' suggests duration after completing.

Conjugation of "Estimate" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: Is "estimate" regular or irregular?

"Estimate" is a regular English verb. Both past simple and past participle are formed by adding -ed.

Q: How do you pronounce "estimate"?

/ˈɛstɪmeɪt/ — Stress on first syllable: ES-ti-mate. The final 'e' is usually silent.

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All 12 Tenses of "Estimate"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "estimate" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I estimate`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I estimated`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will estimate`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am estimating`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was estimating`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be estimating`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have estimated`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had estimated`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have estimated`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been estimating`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been estimating`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been estimating`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Estimate" — Estimated

The past simple of "estimate" is "estimated" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.

The contractor estimated the project would cost five thousand dollars. B1

Past Participle of "Estimate" — Estimated

The past participle of "estimate" is "estimated" — the same form as the past simple, since "estimate" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have estimated") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was estimated").

The contractor estimated the project would cost five thousand dollars. B1

Is "Estimate" Regular or Irregular?

"Estimate" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "estimated". The 3rd-person singular present is "estimates" and the gerund/present participle is "estimating".

Conjugation pattern: regular: -ed

How to Pronounce "Estimate" and Its Forms

Estimate: /ˈɛstɪmeɪt/ — Stress pattern: Oos

Stress on first syllable: ES-ti-mate. The final 'e' is usually silent.

Syllable breakdown: es · ti · mate

How to Use "Estimate" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use when you don't have exact information but need to provide an approximation.

estimate + object
estimate that + clause

Example Sentences with "Estimate" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: Scientists estimate that the population will double by 2050. B2
Simple Past: The contractor estimated the project would cost five thousand dollars. B1

Common Collocations with "Estimate"

estimate the cost
estimate the time
rough estimate
estimate the damage
estimate shows

When to Use "Estimate" vs Similar Verbs

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

calculate — When using numbers or precise methods for approximation
assess — When making judgments about quality or magnitude
gauge — When trying to measure or determine approximate extent
evaluate — When appraising value or merit systematically

Antonyms: measure

Common Mistakes with "Estimate"

Wrong: She estimate often.
Correct: She estimates often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Estimate"

From Latin 'aestimare' meaning to value or appraise.

Conjugation Tables for "Estimate"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not estimate · He does not estimate
Simple past: I did not estimate · She did not estimate
Present perfect: I have not estimated · He has not estimated

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you estimate? · Does he estimate?
Simple past: Did you estimate?
Present perfect: Have you estimated?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is estimated
Simple past passive: It was estimated
Present perfect passive: It has been estimated

Frequently Asked Questions About "Estimate"

Is "estimate" regular or irregular?: "estimate" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "estimated".
What is the past tense of "estimate"?: The simple past of "estimate" is "estimated".
When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "estimate"?: Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I estimate every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am estimating right now."