I think approximately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I think approximately" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when you want to express a rough estimate or approximation of something, but it is better to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "I think approximately 50 people attended the event, but I need to check the final count."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Juan, who once described his passion for surfing as "an addiction because that's all I think about," managed to grab approximately 10 waves for rides of between two and four seconds each, an accomplishment that qualifed him to move up to Sunday's competition leading into the semifinals and finals.

The New York Times

"There are several issues in which the majority of Israelis — 70 to 80percentthinkhink approximately the same," he said.

The New York Times

However, astronomers think approximately 20percentt of these systems should provide such a perspective.

Huffington Post

However, it is important to note that the percentage of foreign-made goods that make up total consumer spending in the U.S. is not as great as some might think; approximately 70percentt of total consumer spending is on domestically manufactured products.

Huffington Post

"And they were using fingerprinting, I think, for approximately the last 100 years, or more".

The New York Times

"I think with approximately 50% of Android handsets covered by royalty arrangements, they will continue to pursue the same course of legal action... for the remaining smaller Android players," Mr Pritchard says.

BBC

I try to put in a number which I think will approximately fill the wound when they are at the adult stage of growth.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Interestingly, three reptilian, two avian and one amphibian KLK homologues were detected which allowed us to trace the evolutionary origin of KLKs earlier than it was previously thought, approximately 330 mya.

Plosone

(2011) suggested that the radiation of Ruschioideae may in fact be much older than previously thought (approximately 17 Mya), challenging the view of Klak et al.

Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society

Random wheat BAC sequencing [ 7] indicated that even in gene-rich regions of wheat, the gene density is considerably lower than previously thought (approximately 1 gene per 75 kb).

BMC Plant Biology

It is thought approximately 10-20% of participants will have attended the psychoeducation programme prior to taking part in the trial, however any effects of this are likely to be distributed equally across the two treatment arms owing to the randomized design.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider replacing "I think approximately" with more concise alternatives such as "I estimate" or "I believe roughly."

Common error

Avoid using "I think approximately" in formal writing. Simpler phrases like "roughly", "about", or "around" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I think approximately" functions as a modal hedge, softening a statement of estimation with an expression of personal belief. This indicates the speaker is providing an approximate value, but is not entirely certain of its accuracy. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as acceptable but suggests better alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I think approximately" serves to express an estimate with a degree of uncertainty. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not the most elegant phrasing. More concise options like "I estimate" or "roughly" are generally preferred, especially in formal contexts. The phrase is used across various domains, but appears more frequently in news, scientific, and academic writing. When communicating an approximate value, consider the setting and audience to choose the most suitable phrasing. Several alternatives, such as "I estimate roughly" or "I believe roughly", offer similar meaning while potentially improving clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I believe roughly

Substitutes "think" with "believe" maintaining the sense of personal conviction and "approximately" with its synonym roughly.

I estimate roughly

Replaces "think" with a more direct estimation verb and "approximately" with a synonym indicating a lack of precision.

I would say about

Uses a conditional verb ("would say") to soften the statement and "about" to indicate approximation.

I'd guess around

Uses a more casual verb ("guess") and a preposition indicating a general area or quantity.

I'm inclined to think

Expresses a leaning towards a particular belief or estimation, but not with absolute certainty.

I reckon about

Employs a colloquial verb ("reckon") common in some dialects, combined with "about" for approximation.

My estimate is that

Shifts the focus to a formal noun ("estimate") and introduces a clause specifying the estimation.

I imagine in the region of

Replaces "think" with "imagine", conveying a sense of conjecture and "approximately" with a more descriptive expression.

It's my understanding that

Indicates that information is based on what the speaker knows or has learned, implying an approximation.

As far as I can tell

Indicates that the estimate is based on the speaker's current knowledge or perception.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I think approximately"?

You can use alternatives like "I estimate roughly", "I believe roughly", or "I would say about" depending on the context.

Is "I think approximately" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "I think approximately" can sound awkward. It's generally better to use more direct phrasing for estimations.

When is it appropriate to use "I think approximately"?

It's best suited for informal conversation. In formal writing or presentations, opt for phrases like "I estimate" or "roughly".

What is a more formal way to say "I think approximately"?

For formal contexts, phrases like "My estimate is that...", or "It is my understanding that..." are better alternatives.