approximate to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximate to" is correct and usable in written English.
When referring to two objects or numbers that are close or nearly equal in amount, you can use "approximate to." For example, "The distances between the two cities approximate to 300 miles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each dish is dated approximate to its origins.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For Armenians, Der Zor has come to have a meaning approximate to Auschwitz.

The New York Times - Magazine

But if that was Roth's dream, it doesn't approximate to anything Kafka appeared to fancy for himself.

The Guardian - Books

"It never occurred to me until that moment that I could ever lead a life approximate to those.

The Guardian

What they forget is the fact that Gil came up with numbers approximate to Tony's, but Gil did it in five years less time.

The New York Times

The Duke researchers believe the auditory system judges sounds to be pleasant the closer they approximate to this generalized power spectrum of the human voice.

The New York Times - Science

"Where's Luciana's husband?" I asked her adviser, looking round for someone who might approximate to the male equivalent of a politician's wife.

The Guardian

In the end her research was approximate to that of her mother when she is writing about a historical subject like Marie Antoinette.

The New York Times

Roughly approximate to the American immigration and frontier narrative, the Australian version also shaped national identity -- Australians view themselves as hard-knock trailblazers.

The New York Times - Books

Characters reveal themselves through dialogue, but dialogue is not necessarily a verbatim reproduction of everyday speech, even though it might approximate to it.

The Guardian

I suppose, if you are a typical politician, you are only likely to collect the cartoons that approximate to your own view of yourself.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approximate to", ensure that both elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "approximate to" when precision is required. The phrase indicates an estimate, not an exact measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximate to" functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating a resemblance or nearness in value, amount, or characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound. It connects two elements by suggesting they are similar but not necessarily identical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approximate to" is a versatile prepositional verb phrase used to indicate a close resemblance or nearness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure clarity in defining the elements being compared, remembering that it conveys an estimate rather than an exact value. Related alternatives include "be similar to" and "be close to", offering nuanced ways to express likeness. Therefore, you can confidently use this phrase in your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be similar to

Focuses on the likeness between two things rather than a precise estimation.

be close to

Emphasizes the nearness in value or characteristic.

be nearly equal to

Highlights the almost equal status, particularly in numerical contexts.

be roughly equivalent to

Indicates a broad correspondence without demanding accuracy.

approach

Suggests a movement toward a certain value or state.

tend toward

Implies a tendency of converging but not necessary overlapping

converge towards

Focuses on the act of approaching, often from different directions.

resemble closely

Highlights the similarities in appearance or features.

mirror

Suggests a very close correspondence or reflection.

emulate

Focuses on mimicking or following a specific pattern, but does not focus on estimation

FAQs

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

You can use "approximate to" to indicate that something is close to a particular value or characteristic. For example, "The cost will "approximate to" $100" or "His behavior began to "approximate to" that of a leader".

What's a formal alternative to "approximate to"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "be nearly equivalent to" or "closely resemble" instead of ""approximate to"".

Is it correct to use "approximate to" when referring to abstract concepts?

Yes, ""approximate to"" can be used with abstract concepts, not just numerical values. For instance, "Her explanation seemed to "approximate to" the truth".

What's the difference between "approximate to" and "equal"?

"Approximate to" implies an estimation or a near likeness, while "equal" signifies an exact correspondence. Therefore, use ""approximate to"" when the values are not exactly the same but are close enough to be considered similar.