approximate distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximate distance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a measurement that is not exact but gives a general idea of how far apart two points are. Example: "The approximate distance between the two cities is about 50 miles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yet they lived in palatial splendor a stone's throw apart, the approximate distance between their flagship salons, in the East Fifties.

The New Yorker

(The average trip is said to be 2.8 miles, which also happens to be the approximate distance from home to office for your typical newspaper editor. A coincidence, no doubt).

The New York Times

The game is simple: Players throw beanbags (purists throw bags filled with corn kernels) at two angled wooden platforms with holes in the middle that face each other at an approximate distance of 27 feet.

The New York Times

Approximate distance from Rio: 269 miles.

BBC

Knowing someone's current neighborhood or approximate distance from you indicates if they're close enough to make joining forces convenient.

TechCrunch

Now, Facebook users can only opt in to have your approximate distance from friends and current neighborhood shared.

TechCrunch

After years of exact coordinate checkins, both Foursquare and Facebook are now focusing on ambient proximity — constantly and automatically sharing your approximate distance from close friends.

TechCrunch

You see a list of people, profiles/interests, their latest status, ranked by their approximate distance to you and can message the people who you find compelling.

TechCrunch

Facebook has removed the precise location-sharing feature from Nearby Friends, which now only lets you opt-in to broadcasting your approximate distance from friends and current neighborhood.

TechCrunch

It lets you constantly share the current neighborhood where you are and the approximate distance between you and your friends or whoever you authorize.

TechCrunch

The proposed SST technique is utilized for locating the approximate distance of occurrence of the fault.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approximate distance", ensure the context provides some indication of the level of accuracy or potential error. For example, specify the units of measurement or the range of possible values.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "approximate distance" as an exact measurement. Ensure your language reflects the uncertainty inherent in the approximation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximate distance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a measurement that is not precise but provides a general indication of separation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approximate distance" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a non-exact measurement of spatial separation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in science and news media. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context provides an understanding of the level of accuracy and to avoid presenting the approximation as a precise figure. Consider alternatives such as "estimated distance" or "rough distance" depending on the desired level of formality and the context. Be mindful of the register, as while it is generally neutral, its prevalence in scientific and technical domains lends it a slightly more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate separation

Synonym with more formal connotation which replaces the word 'distance' with 'separation'.

estimated distance

Replaces "approximate" with "estimated", implying a calculated but not precise measurement.

rough distance

Substitutes "approximate" with "rough", suggesting a less refined or precise estimation.

ballpark distance

Uses "ballpark" to indicate an estimation within a reasonable range, common in informal contexts.

order of magnitude distance

Emphasizes a distance described in powers of ten, suitable for scientific contexts.

nominal distance

Nominal distance implies a standard, expected or named distance which could be approximate.

vicinity

Refers to the general area or region without specifying an exact distance.

close proximity

Highlights the closeness of two points, without quantifying the exact separation.

general location

Focuses on the location rather than the distance, providing a non-specific area.

relative position

Describes the position of something in relation to something else but without quantification.

FAQs

How do you use "approximate distance" in a sentence?

You can use "approximate distance" to describe how far apart two things are when you don't have an exact measurement. For example: "The "approximate distance" between the Earth and the Moon is 238,900 miles".

What can I say instead of "approximate distance"?

You can use alternatives like "estimated distance", "rough distance", or "ballpark distance" depending on the context and the level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to use "approximate distance" or "exact distance" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, it is generally more appropriate to use ""approximate distance"" when the measurement is not precise or has a margin of error. If the measurement is known to be highly precise, "exact distance" may be more appropriate, but always specify the level of uncertainty.

What's the difference between "approximate distance" and "relative position"?

"Approximate distance" refers to a non-exact measurement of how far apart two points are. "Relative position" describes the location of something in relation to something else, without quantifying the distance.