a rate of about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rate of about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an approximate measurement or frequency of something, often in contexts like finance, statistics, or general descriptions of quantities. Example: "The project is expected to progress at a rate of about five units per day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Malaysia's GDP was forecast to grow at a rate of about 4.5% in 2011.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human hair grows at a rate of about 0.5 inch (13 mm) per month.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pleomorphic carcinoma is a rare primary lung carcinoma that occurs at a rate of about 0.3%.

Surgical Case Reports

It is being deforested at a rate of about 1.5% per year.

Huffington Post

More people are signing on at a rate of about 5,000 a day.

HuffPost

Money has poured into upstate counties at a rate of about $100 million a year.

The New York Times

Since November, the Fed has bought securities at a rate of about $75 billion a month.

The New York Times

According to the NARTS, the industry is growing at a rate of about 5% a year.

Forbes

That's a rate of about 1 per second.

MIT Technology Review

They came along at a rate of about 1 per second.

Princeton University

As expected, the TV refreshes at a rate of about 60 Hz without noticeable flickering.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rate of about", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured and the units involved. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a rate of about" when precise data is available. Opt for exact figures to maintain credibility and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rate of about" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating an approximate measure or frequency. It qualifies the numerical value, softening the precision of the rate being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a rate of about" is a commonly used prepositional phrase to express an approximate measurement or frequency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts such as news, academia, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, clarity and appropriate use of units are key. Alternatives like "approximately" or "roughly" may suit more formal or informal contexts. By avoiding over precision and using it appropriately, you maintain both accuracy and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at approximately the same rate

Uses "approximately" instead of "about" to indicate an estimate; more formal.

at roughly the same pace

Replaces "rate" with "pace" and "about" with "roughly", suggesting a less precise estimation.

at an estimated rate of

Emphasizes that the rate is an estimation, adding a layer of uncertainty.

at a speed of approximately

Substitutes "rate" with "speed" and adds "approximately" for a slightly more formal feel, suitable when discussing velocity.

at close to the rate of

Indicates nearness to a specific rate without explicitly stating an approximation.

in the neighborhood of

Informal way to indicate an approximate value or quantity.

on the order of

Suggests a magnitude or scale, rather than a precise rate.

something like

A casual way to indicate an approximation, suitable for informal contexts.

in the vicinity of

Similar to "in the neighborhood of", implying an approximate value.

more or less at the same rate

Adds a degree of uncertainty and informality to the comparison of rates.

FAQs

How can I use "a rate of about" in a sentence?

Use "a rate of about" to indicate an approximate value or frequency. For example, "The company is growing at "a rate of about" 5% per year".

What are some alternatives to "a rate of about"?

You can use phrases like "approximately", "roughly", or "at an estimated rate of" as alternatives to "a rate of about", depending on the level of formality and context.

Is it better to say "approximately" or "a rate of about"?

Both are correct, but "approximately" is more concise and formal, while "a rate of about" is more descriptive and suitable when discussing rates of change or progress.

When should I use "a rate of about" instead of a precise number?

Use "a rate of about" when the exact number is unknown, variable, or when providing a specific number would imply a level of precision that is not warranted.