approximate guide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximate guide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a resource or set of instructions that provides a general idea or estimation rather than precise details. Example: "This document serves as an approximate guide to help you navigate the new software features."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Several assumptions involved in this type of calculation, however, make it at best only an approximate guide to design.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The familiar distinction between nouns, adjectives and verbs provides an approximate guide to the philosophical concepts of substance, mode and attribute.

The Guardian - Opinion

The panel said: "Since the estimates provided are from studies with many limitations and whose relevance to present-day screening programmes can be questioned, they have substantial uncertainty and should be regarded only as an approximate guide.

Independent

The AFM data contained in Fig. 4 can only be used as an approximate guide to the surface shape under actual growth conditions.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Nevertheless by appropriate scaling of the features, the AFM data can be used as an approximate guide to the surface morphology.

Nanoscale Research Letters

These values apply only to the subset of 106 CD-1 mice that we genotyped, but should provide an approximate guide for future studies.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Note that the sample sizes obtained from these methods are intended as approximate guides rather than exact numbers.

Critical Care

These alignments provided approximate guides to intron/exon splice junctions to enable the construction of gene models based on the genome sequence.

BMC Plant Biology

After establishing a gradient between PetCO2 and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), PetCO2 can approximate PaCO2 and serves as a rough guide to ventilatory status [ 40].

Critical Care

The IPA p-values were not corrected for multiple testing, and the authors recommend them as rough guides for approximating molecular function.

BMC Systems Biology

As a rough initial guide, Table 2 provides approximate costs for the basic building-blocks of an MTDC grid.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "approximate guide", clarify the degree of imprecision or potential limitations to ensure the audience understands the information's reliability.

Common error

Do not treat an "approximate guide" as a definitive source of information. Always cross-reference with more precise data when available, especially in critical decision-making scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximate guide" functions as a noun phrase, where "approximate" modifies the noun "guide". It denotes a resource that offers general direction or estimation, but lacks precise details. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approximate guide" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to describe a resource that provides general, rather than precise, direction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its utility spans various domains including science, news, encyclopedias, and wikis. While acceptable, remember that in formal writing or scenarios demanding accuracy, substituting it with terms like "general guideline" or "preliminary guidance" may be more appropriate. When leveraging an "approximate guide", always emphasize its limitations to avoid misinterpretations and consider supporting the content with cross-references.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough guide

Replaces "approximate" with a more informal synonym, suggesting a less precise estimate.

tentative guide

Substitutes "approximate" with "tentative", implying the guide is subject to change or not fully confirmed.

general guideline

Replaces "approximate guide" with a more formal and commonly used phrase.

preliminary guidance

Implies that the guidance is initial and may be further refined.

basic framework

Suggests a simplified structure that provides a starting point.

indicative reference

Replaces the term "guide" with "reference", while still keeping the meaning of an approximate set of instructions.

ballpark estimate

Replaces guide with a noun phrase indicating an educated guess.

working model

Focuses on the guide as a method that will be further developed and improved.

heuristic approach

More formal and technical alternative implying a problem-solving technique that isn't guaranteed to be optimal.

educated guess

Signifies an estimation that depends on some knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "approximate guide" to indicate that something offers a general or rough set of instructions or estimations. For example, "This document serves as an "approximate guide" to help you navigate the new software features."

What can I say instead of "approximate guide"?

You can use alternatives like "rough guide", "general guideline", or "tentative guide" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "approximate guide" in formal writing?

While acceptable, in formal writing, you might consider using more precise language such as "general guideline" or "preliminary guidance" to convey a higher degree of authority and accuracy.

When should I use "approximate guide" instead of "precise instructions"?

Use "approximate guide" when the information you're providing is not exact or definitive, and there may be some degree of variability or uncertainty. "Precise instructions", on the other hand, are appropriate when you're offering detailed and accurate steps.