approximate measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximate measure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a value or quantity that is not exact but is close enough for practical purposes. Example: "The approximate measure of the room's area is 250 square feet, which should suffice for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Empirical validation, however, disclosed that calendar age is rather approximate measure of ecosystem ontogeny.

Ecological Modelling

Breedlove looked at relative finger length because it is influenced by androgen levels in the womb and thus is an approximate measure of fetal androgen levels.

University of California, Berkeley

The Gini coefficient is an approximate measure of the scale of the wealth gap in a society, with a coefficient of zero representing perfect equality.

The New York Times

The measure of practical salinity was originally developed to provide an approximate measure of the total mass of salt in one kilogram of seawater.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To establish the proposition, Newton derived an approximate measure for the force by using small lines defined in terms of the radius (the line from the force centre to the particle) and the tangent to the curve at a point.

Britannica

The robustness of a solution of the design problem is computed as an approximate measure of what will be saved or lost if the environment becomes the unexpected.

European Journal of Operational Research

Thus the sex difference on the Full Scale IQ was found to be a good approximate measure of the difference in g.

Intelligence

The acidity function H0 frequently is found to be independent of the nature of the indicator and to give an approximate measure of the catalytic power of the acid solution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The vibrational stretching frequency of a bond between two atoms, for example, gives an approximate measure of the bonding forces holding those two atoms together, the effective masses of the two atoms being allowed for.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The clearance of creatinine was used as a measure of renal function before inulin was discovered; because this substance is found naturally in plasma, creatinine clearance is still widely used as an approximate measure of the GFR.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Bellwether: Blue Earth County Look to Blue Earth County, anchored by Mankato, for an approximate measure of the final statewide margin between Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney on Nov. 6.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approximate measure", specify the units or context to provide clarity, even if the measurement isn't exact. For instance, "the approximate measure of the distance is 10 kilometers" is more informative than simply saying "the approximate measure is 10".

Common error

Avoid presenting an "approximate measure" as definitive or precise. Qualify it with phrases like "roughly", "about", or "in the vicinity of" to manage expectations and maintain honesty about the estimation's accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximate measure" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "approximate" modifies "measure". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used. It serves to describe a quantity or value that is not exact but is sufficiently close for a given purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

Encyclopedias

14%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approximate measure" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a quantity or value that is not exact but sufficiently close for a given purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. This phrase is particularly common in scientific, encyclopedic, and news contexts, signaling that the value is an estimation useful for informed decision-making or calculations. Related terms include "rough estimate" and "ballpark figure", offering slightly different levels of precision. To use it effectively, specify the units or context and avoid presenting the measure as a precise value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close approximation

Emphasizes that the measure is near to the true value.

near estimate

Indicates that the estimation is not exact but reasonably accurate.

rough estimate

This implies a lower degree of precision compared to "approximate measure".

loose calculation

Highlights the imprecision in the method used to get to the measurement.

ballpark figure

Suggests a very general and preliminary estimation.

preliminary indication

Suggests that it's an initial measure before further refinement.

educated guess

Highlights the speculative nature of the measurement, based on available knowledge.

guesstimate

A blend of guess and estimate, suggesting informality and some degree of calculation.

general idea

Conveys an overview without precise numerical value.

broad gauge

Implies a wide range or scale rather than a specific point.

FAQs

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

You can use "approximate measure" to describe a value that is not exact but close enough for a specific purpose. For example, "The Gini coefficient is an "approximate measure" of the scale of the wealth gap in a society."

What's a good alternative to "approximate measure"?

Alternatives include "rough estimate", "ballpark figure", or "close approximation", depending on the context and the level of precision needed.

Is "approximate measure" formal or informal?

"Approximate measure" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in scientific and technical writing. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the audience.

When should I use "approximate measure" instead of "precise measurement"?

Use "approximate measure" when you don't have or don't need an exact value. If accuracy is critical, then you need to strive for a precise measurement.