approximate figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximate figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an estimated number or value that is not exact but close enough for practical purposes. Example: "The approximate figure for the project's budget is around $50,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Of the approximately 120 proposals, and this is an approximate figure, in the Elementary and Secondary Schools Program, I believe eight of those are collaborative projects of this nature which were funded.

Yale University

If I had to give a very approximate figure, we're talking more than 10-20 sea operations a week.

The Guardian

In the US, the official count was 658,507 dead by the end of 2012 – an approximate figure, despite its ring of precision.

The Guardian

That approximate figure reflects not only the dollars patients and insurance companies spend on the treatment but also — and just as important — an estimate of how effective it is in prolonging life.

The New York Times - Health

"Just give us an approximate figure," they'd say, and the professor would shake her head and cover her crystal ball with a little cozy given to her by one of her previous classes.

The New Yorker

They then apply this number to the total area of tropical forest lost each year (another very approximate figure, often derived from incomplete satellite data).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

However, they only provide approximate figures with significant uncertainties.

Energy and Buildings

He confirmed the approximate figures during the interview on Monday.

The New York Times

Some provided approximate figures out of concern to avoid identification of the children.

Independent

The city comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi, raised the most during the reporting period: $1.4 million, bringing his total donations to $4.9 million, according to approximate figures provided by his media consultant, Hank Morris.

The New York Times

For one thing, in a country where there are no voter rolls, there are not even approximate figures for how many voters there actually are.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting an "approximate figure", acknowledge its potential inaccuracy. For instance, state the source of the estimate or mention factors that might affect its precision.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "approximate figure" as a definitive value. Use qualifiers like "about", "around", or "in the vicinity of" to indicate that it's an estimate, and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximate figure" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it's used to quantify uncertain or preliminary estimations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approximate figure" is a common and acceptable way to refer to an estimated value, suitable for various contexts ranging from news reports to scientific papers. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, and while not perfectly precise, it serves a valuable purpose in conveying quantities when exact data is unavailable. Remember to contextualize its usage by specifying potential inaccuracies or sources of estimation. For more clarity, consider alternatives like "rough estimate" or "estimated value", based on the situation. Ludwig provides several examples, reinforcing its widespread and appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate value

A very similar phrase, which swaps "figure" with "value".

close approximation

Highlights that the figure is near the actual value, adding emphasis on accuracy.

rough estimate

Emphasizes the lack of precision and is suitable when a quick, informal calculation is sufficient.

preliminary figure

Suggests the figure is subject to change as more accurate data becomes available.

estimated value

Focuses on the process of estimation, suggesting a calculated but not exact amount.

projected number

Implies some forecasting or modeling, but also some uncertainty.

rough calculation

Implies that some calculation was performed but the result is not precise.

ballpark number

Indicates a very general idea of the quantity, often used in informal settings.

order of magnitude

Refers to a power-of-ten approximation, useful when the exact number isn't as important as its scale.

guesstimate

Combines "guess" and "estimate", implying a degree of uncertainty and informal calculation.

FAQs

How can I use "approximate figure" in a sentence?

You can use "approximate figure" when you want to present an estimate or a value that is not exact. For example: "The "approximate figure" for the project's cost is $1 million".

What are some alternatives to "approximate figure"?

Some alternatives to "approximate figure" include "rough estimate", "estimated value", or "ballpark number" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "approximate figure" in formal writing?

Yes, "approximate figure" is suitable for formal writing, especially when presenting data that isn't precise. However, ensure the context allows for an estimate rather than a precise value.

What's the difference between "approximate figure" and "exact figure"?

"Approximate figure" refers to an estimated or inexact number, while "exact figure" represents a precise and accurate value.