At approximately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At approximately" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an estimated time or quantity, suggesting that the information is not exact but close to a certain value. Example: "The meeting will start at approximately 3 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At approximately $100 per person.

The New York Times

"At approximately that, yes," Detective Bendul testified.

The New York Times

At approximately 9 07 am the Britannic sank.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At approximately 11.30am the SAPS had to use teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the group.

The Guardian

At approximately eight minutes past the hour the 'papers arrived.

Vice

At approximately 3 30 PM, the tsunami made landfall.

Vice

At approximately 12 15am, the police stormed the theater.

Vice

The victory today will put her at approximately No. 15.

The New York Times - Sports

Our current membership stands now at approximately 550.

The New York Times

Subsequent editions followed at approximately 10-year intervals.

The Guardian

Both companies are valued at approximately $5 billion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "At approximately" when providing estimates where precision is not critical. It adds a degree of formality suitable for professional or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "At approximately" in contexts where exact figures are known and readily available. Overusing approximations can undermine the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At approximately" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb by indicating an estimation or approximation. It qualifies the accuracy of the information being presented, suggesting it is not an exact value. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "At approximately" serves as a prepositional phrase used to express estimation or approximation. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "around" and "about" exist for less formal communication, "At approximately" lends a degree of formality and precision. It is essential to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with other approximation terms and to ensure its use is appropriate, reserving exact figures for instances where precise data is available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Around

Offers a more casual and concise way to indicate an approximate value or time.

About

Similar to "around", providing a simpler way to express approximation.

Roughly

Suggests a less precise estimate than "approximately".

Close to

Suggests that a value is not exactly a number but near it

In the vicinity of

Indicates a value is close to a specific point, but more verbose.

In the neighborhood of

Similar to "in the vicinity of", conveying proximity in a less formal manner.

Give or take

Highlights potential variability or a margin of error in the estimation.

More or less

Indicates a general agreement with a value, but not necessarily exact.

In the ballpark of

Suggests a broad estimate, often used in informal contexts.

In the region of

Indicates a general area or range around a value.

FAQs

How do I use "At approximately" in a sentence?

Use "At approximately" before a time, number, or quantity when you want to indicate that the value is an estimate and not exact. For instance, "The meeting will start "at approximately" 3 PM."

What are some alternatives to "At approximately"?

You can use alternatives such as "around", "about", or "roughly" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "At approximately about"?

Yes, using "At approximately about" is redundant because both phrases convey the same meaning of estimation. Choose one or the other.

Which is more formal, "At approximately" or "About"?

"At approximately" is generally more formal than "about". Use "At approximately" in professional or academic contexts where a higher degree of formality is appropriate.