approximate numbers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximate numbers" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to numbers that are not exact but are close enough for a particular purpose or context. Example: "For the budget report, we can use approximate numbers to give a general idea of our expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Very approximate numbers ranged from 205 to 700 per region, one region indicating that approximately 7 of every 1,300 patients in the region had stroke.

BMC Health Services Research

The military will give only approximate numbers of detainees and the number of nations they represent, about 40.

The New York Times

Potter sales are only in approximate numbers, but the consensus seems to be that the books have sold about 450m copies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nearly every time Matthews passed the house, he saw children, a squadron of little whitey towheads who, in the time he had lived at the Esquivels', seemed to never change in age or approximate numbers.

The New Yorker

As predicted, the Munduruku compared and added large approximate numbers far beyond their naming range.

SEP

The study confirms that a child's ability to approximate numbers seems to act as a foundation for developing math skills later in life.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

4,500 — Approximate number of drug tests that will be conducted.

The New York Times - Sports

89,500 Approximate number of personnel in the Afghan National Army.

The Guardian

Approximate number of pages: 340 What's it about?

The Guardian - Books

Paper Approximate number of pages: 350 What's it about?

The Guardian - Books

Either Approximate number of pages: 370 What's it about?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approximate numbers", specify the degree of approximation if possible (e.g., "to the nearest thousand").

Common error

Avoid presenting "approximate numbers" with excessive decimal places, as this contradicts the idea of them being estimations. Round appropriately to reflect the level of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximate numbers" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, referring to non-exact numerical values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approximate numbers" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to estimations or non-exact numerical values. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase serves to convey values that are not precisely known. While "approximate numbers" appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. Alternatives such as "estimated figures" or "rough estimates" can be used depending on the desired level of precision. When employing "approximate numbers", be sure not to overstate the precision of the numbers and clearly communicate the degree of approximation to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate values

Replaces "numbers" with "values", maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly broader scope.

inexact numbers

Directly states that the numbers are not precise, rather than suggesting an estimation.

estimated figures

Focuses on the concept of estimation rather than approximation, implying a more deliberate calculation.

estimated quantities

Highlights the estimation aspect and uses "quantities" for a more formal tone.

close estimates

Focuses on the accuracy of the estimation, suggesting it is relatively near the actual value.

rough estimates

Emphasizes the lack of precision and preliminary nature of the figures.

near figures

Indicates that the figures are close to the actual numbers, but not exact.

ballpark figures

Suggests a very general estimation, suitable for quick assessments.

order of magnitude

Refers to a power-of-ten estimate, highlighting scale rather than specific quantity.

projected numbers

Implies a forecast or prediction of numbers, often based on trends.

FAQs

How do I use "approximate numbers" in a sentence?

"Approximate numbers" are used to refer to values that are not exact but are close enough for the context. For example, "For planning purposes, we used "approximate numbers" to estimate the project cost."

What phrases can I use instead of "approximate numbers"?

Alternatives include "estimated figures", "rough estimates", or "ballpark figures", depending on the level of precision you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "approximate numbers"?

It is appropriate to use "approximate numbers" when the exact values are unknown, difficult to obtain, or not necessary for the purpose at hand. They are commonly used in budgeting, planning, and forecasting.

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

"Approximate numbers" are estimations or rounded values, while "exact numbers" are precise and accurate representations of a quantity. Use "approximate numbers" when precision is not crucial, and "exact numbers" when accuracy is paramount.