approx the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approx the same" is not standard in written English, as "approx" is an informal abbreviation.
It can be used in casual contexts, such as notes or informal communication, but it's better to use the full word "approximately" in formal writing. Example: "The two measurements are approx the same, so we can proceed with the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A ride on the Futurama of General Motors induces approx. the same emotional response as a trip through the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

The New Yorker

The news comes less than a month after word got out that Rakuten moved to acquire US-based Buy.com for approx. the same price ($250M).

TechCrunch

For logistic reasons, the remaining seven males were tested with the second treatment one or two days after the first playback, but both experiments were always carried out at approx. the same time of day (±2 hours).

Plosone

Mice were administered the standard chow diet either AL or restricted to 40% of their normal food intake (60% restriction) at approx. the same time (10 00 hours) each day.

ASN Neuro

For this primary user data rate, NF-IWF-approx achieves the same gains.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Due to differences in vascular diameters for SMAs, CAs and BAs (i.e. approx. 160 μm, approx. 180 μm and approx. 250 μm respectively), the same experimental set-up could not be employed for all vascular beds.

Acta Physiologica

The crystal sizes were nearly the same (approx. 20 nm) for ZnO Al films before and after annealing in N2 or O2.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Ponds were all of the same size (approx. 45 m × 18 m × 0.5 m) and distribution across the farm area.

International Aquatic Research

Young's modulus for A. gregorii fruit is in the same range (approx. 1.5 GPa; Bleechmore 2002).

Botanical Studies

The positively skewed bell curves observed on these histogram plots peak around the same areas (approx. 0.3) with the majority of enrichment scores encompassing positive values, indicating that these thresholds frequently give improved F1-score performance.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Therefore, from a pharmacological point of view a peptide with a Mw of approx. 1500 g/mol having the same pharmacological potency as a low molecular weight drug could be used in a five-fold higher amount.

EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity in informal notes, "approx the same" is acceptable, but be mindful of your audience.

Common error

Avoid using abbreviations like "approx" in formal reports or academic papers. Always spell out words fully to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approx the same" functions as an adjectival phrase aiming to express similarity or equivalence between two or more items. It's often used to provide a quick, though grammatically incorrect, indication that things are comparable.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approx the same" is a grammatically incorrect but informally used expression to indicate similarity. As Ludwig AI points out, the abbreviation "approx" makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. For professional writing, it's best to use "approximately the same" or other alternatives like "roughly the same" or "about the same". While brevity might be tempting, adhering to grammatical standards ensures clarity and credibility in your communication. Remember to consider your audience and the formality of the situation when choosing your words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately the same

Replaces the abbreviation "approx" with the full word "approximately", increasing formality.

roughly the same

Substitutes "approx" with "roughly", offering a less precise but still similar meaning.

about the same

Uses "about" in place of "approx", providing a more common and slightly less formal alternative.

nearly identical

Replaces the entire phrase with a stronger emphasis on similarity, implying a close resemblance.

more or less the same

Adds a degree of uncertainty, suggesting a slight difference may exist.

in the same ballpark

Offers a more informal and idiomatic way to express approximate similarity.

of similar magnitude

Focuses on the size or scale being comparable, suitable for quantitative contexts.

comparable to

Expresses that two things can be compared and are reasonably alike.

on par with

Indicates a level of equivalence or equality in terms of quality or performance.

in the vicinity of the same

A more verbose alternative suggesting something is close to being the same.

FAQs

Is "approx the same" grammatically correct?

No, "approx the same" is not grammatically correct in formal writing. The abbreviation "approx" should be replaced with the full word "approximately". Alternatives like "roughly the same" or "about the same" are preferable depending on context.

What's a more formal way to say "approx the same"?

A more formal way to express the same idea is "approximately the same". This avoids the use of abbreviations and maintains a professional tone. You could also consider "nearly identical" if the context allows.

When is it okay to use "approx the same"?

Using "approx the same" may be acceptable in informal notes or casual communication, where brevity is valued over strict grammatical correctness. However, it's best to avoid it in any formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "approx the same" that don't use abbreviations?

Alternatives include "roughly the same", "about the same", "more or less the same", or "nearly the same". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.