a close calculation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a close calculation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a calculation that is very precise or nearly accurate. Example: "The engineer made a close calculation of the materials needed for the project to ensure everything would fit perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sucess in the effort to clone DNA from the mammoth would make possible a close calculation of the evolutionary distance between these great animals, which became exinct about 10,000 years ago; and the two living species of modern elephants.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The objects to be insured must be numerous enough and homogeneous enough to allow a reasonably close calculation of the probable frequency and severity of losses.

Britannica

"To write what you are interested in writing and to succeed in getting editors to pay for it, is a feat that may require pretty close calculation and a good deal of ingenuity," he once explained.

The New Yorker

The uncertainty on the pitch and roll angles prevent us from refining this estimate further through a closed-form calculation (e.g., a least squares solution).

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

2034, 23 L.Ed.2d 685 (1969), determines in principle the scope of a warrantless search incident to arrest, practical necessity requires that we allow an officer in these circumstances to secure thoroughly the automobile without requiring him in haste and under pressure to make close calculations about danger to himself or the vulnerability of evidence.

Cornell University

The metastable Cassie-Baxter state, for the superhydrophobic 3-D UNCD surface, was demonstrated via a close correlation between the mathematical calculation based on the Cassie-Baxter Model and the experimental measurement of the WCA.

Carbon

The measured band structure bears a close resemblance with the DFT calculation that includes a contribution from Bi(_2 Te(_3) substrate.

Nano Convergence

Because alpha decay decreases the mass number A by 4, and beta decay does not change A, closed α−β-cycle calculations based on lead-207 can link up only those nuclei with mass numbers of the general type A = 4n + 3, in which n is an integer.

Britannica

At the center of those campaign-closing calculations was Dr. Dean, the former governor of Vermont, who in recent days suffered an erosion in his position here and across the nation, according to Democratic officials and Dr. Dean's advisers.

The New York Times

If you are interested in calculating your kilowatt hours on your own and getting a calculation close to what the electric company does, it is beneficial to know how the company reads this last number.

WikiHow

In addition, measuring in combination with numerical calculations offers a closer look at the absorption process directly in the hydrogen manufacturing plant where, using the alternative energy source, hydrogen is produced and subsequently stored.

Measurement

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify the units and parameters involved in "a close calculation" to avoid ambiguity. For example, "a close calculation of the project's budget in US dollars".

Common error

Avoid using "a close calculation" when referring to estimations that are inherently rough or lack precision. This can mislead the audience about the reliability of the results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close calculation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "close" modifies the noun "calculation". According to Ludwig AI, it signifies a calculation performed with high accuracy or precision. This noun phrase typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a close calculation" is a noun phrase used to describe a calculation performed with a high degree of accuracy. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and functions to emphasize precision. It is most frequently encountered in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While not very common, replacing it with alternatives like "an accurate estimate" or "a precise computation" can provide similar meaning. When using the phrase, ensure that the context warrants the implication of high precision and that the parameters of the calculation are clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a near-accurate calculation

Highlights that the calculation is almost perfectly accurate.

a precise computation

Substitutes "close" with "precise" highlighting accuracy in mathematical operations.

an exact computation

Implies a calculation with minimal to no error.

a reliable calculation

Focuses on the trustworthiness and dependability of the calculation.

an accurate estimate

Replaces calculation with a more general term for estimation, emphasizing correctness.

a rigorous computation

Emphasizes the strictness and thoroughness of the computational method.

a careful calculation

Focuses on the thoroughness of the calculation process.

a fine-tuned calculation

Suggests the calculation has been refined for better accuracy.

a detailed estimate

Emphasizes the level of detail involved in the estimation.

a good approximation

Highlights that the calculation is a satisfactory estimation.

FAQs

How can I use "a close calculation" in a sentence?

You can use "a close calculation" to describe a precise or nearly accurate computation, as in "The engineer made "a close calculation" of the bridge's load-bearing capacity".

What are some alternatives to saying "a close calculation"?

Alternatives include "an accurate estimate", "a precise computation", or "a careful calculation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a close calculation" or "an accurate calculation"?

Both "a close calculation" and "an accurate calculation" are correct, but "accurate" focuses directly on the correctness of the result, while "close" implies a high degree of precision. Choose the one that best fits the context.

What does "a close calculation" mean in the context of scientific research?

In scientific research, "a close calculation" often refers to a computation that yields results very near to experimental observations or theoretical predictions, indicating the validity and reliability of the model or method used.