an approximation of how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an approximation of how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a rough estimate or a general idea of a process or method. Example: "The report provides an approximation of how the new policy will impact the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The novel can be so desultory that you think: this is an approximation of how Lou Reed must have felt during the entirety of 1972.

The New York Times - Books

"We asked whether it's possible to give an approximation of how many people currently in the system would eventually leave without service," Pender says.

Cornell University

To be able to understand the misspelled words, you must first have acquired both the vocabulary and - at least - an approximation of how the word is spelt in order to enable the brain to transliterate it.

The Guardian

A volunteer would go up and read a question about this or that Medicare, Medicaid, public schools, Russia, preëxisting medical conditions, emoluments and then another would sidle up next to the pulpit and offer an approximation of how the senator might have answered their questions.

The New Yorker

Battery Saver The battery screen will not only give you the usual handy breakdown of what's draining the most juice from your system - complete with a swanky looking graph and an approximation of how long you have left until your phone dies - but it now has a very effective battery save feature.

The Guardian - Tech

In theory, it should be possible to record everything you've said, feed it into an AI model, and have algorithms come up with an approximation of how you might respond to questions, says Van Baker, a research vice-president for Gartner.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Throughout the (A) case a close approximation of how the dialogue went in that meeting offers several ideas for the reduction that include: length of service, experience, outsourcing, covering the plant with a single electrician, and reducing one person from each operating unit.

Harvard Business Review

This method gives a linear approximation of how much a variable changes due to a given change in a parameter.

BMC Systems Biology

The argument begins by envisioning atomic space something like a chessboard, which is a fair approximation of how the theologians did think of atomic space.

SEP

It told a rough approximation of how Gainax as a studio came to be and reveled in outright nerdiness from the off.

Forbes

Ms. Walters has a wall in her apartment that is a fair approximation of how that summation might look: the list of interview subjects include Fidel Castro, Golda Meir and every president since Richard M. Nixon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an approximation of how", ensure the context clarifies the degree of accuracy or potential error. For example, "This model provides "an approximation of how" climate change might affect coastal regions, but it's crucial to acknowledge its limitations."

Common error

Avoid presenting "an approximation of how" something works as a definitive explanation. Always acknowledge that it is an estimate and may not fully represent reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an approximation of how" functions as a noun phrase, introducing a description or estimation of a process, method, or manner in which something occurs. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in providing estimates related to learning, prices, and the behavior of systems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an approximation of how" is a phrase used to present an estimated or simplified understanding of a process or method. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use across different contexts, although it is more common in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's important to clarify that the information is not exact and may have limitations. Alternatives such as "a rough estimate of how" or "a general idea of how" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rough estimate of how

Replaces "approximation" with "rough estimate", emphasizing the inexact nature of the assessment.

an estimate of how

Slightly more concise, focusing directly on the estimation aspect.

a general idea of how

Shifts the focus to a broader understanding rather than a precise calculation.

an understanding of how

Highlights comprehension and knowledge of a process or method.

a sense of how

Implies an intuitive grasp rather than a formal calculation.

an indication of how

Suggests a sign or clue regarding a process.

a representation of how

Focuses on portraying the manner in which something happens.

a depiction of how

Similar to representation, emphasizing visual or descriptive conveyance.

a simulation of how

Highlights a model or imitation used to understand a process.

a projection of how

Indicates a forecast or prediction related to a process.

FAQs

How can I use "an approximation of how" in a sentence?

Use "an approximation of how" to introduce an estimate or rough understanding of a process or method. For example, "The study provides "a rough estimate of how" the new policy might affect the economy."

What phrases are similar to "an approximation of how"?

Similar phrases include "a general idea of how", "an estimate of how", or "a sense of how", depending on the level of precision you want to convey.

Is it better to say "an approximation of how" or "the approximation of how"?

"An approximation of how" is generally preferred when referring to a non-specific instance. "The approximation of how" would be used if referring to a specific, previously mentioned approximation.

What's the difference between "an approximation of how" and "an explanation of how"?

"An explanation of how" implies a more thorough and detailed account, while "an approximation of how" suggests a simplified or less precise understanding. Use "an explanation of how" when providing complete details, and "an approximation of how" when providing a simplified or estimated view.