an approximate duration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an approximate duration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an estimated length of time for an event or activity. Example: "The project will take an approximate duration of three months to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Since it is now core for pcc, an approximate duration has been added to the examples as a place-holder; it does not represent the duration of the actual manifestation.

Yale University

To figure if the emotion was fleeting or persistent, ask for an approximate duration of the emotion.

Forbes

Each transmitted OFDM-based wireless packet has an approximate duration of 50 ms. The transmitted OFDM packets were sampled at 32.768 M samples per second.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The development set consisted in 5 sequences of an approximate duration of 20 min each, while the evaluation set was formed by 40 sequences of 5min each, thus adding up to 5 h of data.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Repeated xy confocal imaging of RPmt revealed superoxide flashes with an approximate duration of 20 s, and an average amplitude ΔF/F0 of 0.93±0.02.

Plosone

These were assigned an approximate duration of 3 min, with a maximum of three recorded each day from weeks 3 7.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The intervention programme starts with an initial information session (approximate duration 1 hour) which takes place one or two days before hospital discharge (see Figure 1).

BMC Geriatrics

The amount of time the weight took to travel from one maximum elevation to the other was one second: a unit that corresponded with the approximate duration of a human heartbeat.

MIT Technology Review

The approximate duration of a case was 3.6 years.

Wikipedia

Unlike the previous two studies, the stimulus used in that experiment (a train of clicks presented at 40/s) was designed to entrain gamma oscillatory behavior into a steady-state for the approximate duration of the stimulus (500 ms).

BMC Psychiatry

The earthquake with an approximate rupture duration of 50 s occurred at 43.36 Eastern longitude and 38.75 Northern latitude at a depth of 10 15 km below the surface of the earth, triggering an average displacement of 2 m in Northeast Southwest direction.

Case Studies in Construction Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an approximate duration", specify the unit of time (e.g., minutes, hours, days) to provide more context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid presenting "an approximate duration" as if it were an exact figure. Use qualifiers like 'about', 'around', or 'roughly' to reinforce its inexact nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an approximate duration" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a component of a larger noun phrase. It describes a period of time that is estimated rather than precisely measured. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an approximate duration" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate an estimated length of time. As confirmed by Ludwig, it finds application across diverse fields such as science, news, and academia. When employing this phrase, remember to provide the unit of time for enhanced clarity and avoid presenting it as an exact figure. Consider alternatives like "estimated timeframe" or "anticipated duration" depending on your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate length of time

Highlights the inexact nature of the duration being discussed.

anticipated duration

Conveys that the duration is expected but not guaranteed.

estimated timeframe

Focuses on the general period during which something is expected to occur.

general timeframe

Emphasizes that the duration is being considered in broad terms.

rough estimate of time

Emphasizes that the duration is not precise but a general calculation.

estimated period

Focuses on the time span that is predicted or calculated.

ballpark figure for duration

Implies a very general and preliminary estimation of the duration.

projected time

Suggests a forecast or prediction of the duration.

preliminary duration

Indicates that the duration is subject to change as more information becomes available.

tentative time estimate

Highlights the uncertainty and possibility of revision in the time estimation.

FAQs

How do I use "an approximate duration" in a sentence?

Use "an approximate duration" to indicate a period of time that is not precisely known or specified. For example: "The surgery will take "an approximate duration" of two hours".

What are some alternatives to "an approximate duration"?

Alternatives include "estimated timeframe", "rough estimate of time", or "anticipated duration". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it necessary to provide a specific unit of time after "an approximate duration"?

While not always mandatory, providing a unit of time (e.g., minutes, hours, days) after "an approximate duration" enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretations. For example, ""an approximate duration" of 30 minutes" is clearer than simply saying ""an approximate duration"".

How does "an approximate duration" differ from "the exact duration"?

"An approximate duration" signifies an estimate, while "the exact duration" refers to a precise and known length of time. Use "an approximate duration" when precision isn't possible or necessary, and "the exact duration" when the time is accurately measured.