Using underestimated instead of overestimated.

(5 Posts)

Griselda Mon 25-Jul-22 14:52:02

I just read this in the Evening Standard - " The impact of encountering anti-abortion views on the way to or from an appointment cannot be underestimated."
They do mean overestimated don't they ?
I seem to see it used incorrectly fairly often these days.

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Blossoming Mon 25-Jul-22 23:42:17

Maybe it ought to say “should not be underestimated”.

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MawtheMerrier Tue 26-Jul-22 08:27:41

I am reminded of the classic George W. Bush quote! grin

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Petera Tue 26-Jul-22 08:31:44

I hear this frequently too, I think Blossoming's comment is probably accurate. After all, if you really strongly emphasise 'cannot' it turns into an instruction not to underestimate.

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annsixty Tue 26-Jul-22 08:39:17

I think whichever is used makes sense.
The meaning still comes across.

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