approximately 12 hours apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately 12 hours apart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express the amount of time between two or more events. For example, "We drove to our destination, stopping to rest two times approximately 12 hours apart."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Capecitabine was given approximately 12 hours apart and taken orally with water within 30 minutes after ingestion of food.

BMC Cancer

Whereas imatinib and dasatinib can be taken once daily, nilotinib needs to be taken twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart [ 16- 18].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I would take "4" CITRACAL Max at 4 different times of the day for 2 years, and I would eat yogurt and add as much skim milk to my diet as I can (Usually only in my Cheerios or the Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal that I eat a least 5 times a week. I was faithful taking the pills approximately 4 hours apart from each other (and at least 4 hours away from my Synthroid medication).

Harvard University

Sessions were approximately 24 hours apart (± 2 hours).

eLife

The work is split in two four-hour shifts per day, about 12 hours apart.

The New York Times

Red-tailed eggs usually hatch about 36 hours apart.

The New York Times

Patients are being randomized to receive sorafenib 400 mg or matching placebo (2 tablets), twice daily (approximately every 12 hours apart without food; at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal) in a double-blind fashion; neither the investigator nor the patient (or sponsor) will know which agent is being administered.

BMC Cancer

As a result, the Northern and Southern Hemisphere see approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

The Washington Post

Disrupt NYC 2012 begins in approximately 12 hours (tickets here).

TechCrunch

There are approximately 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night.

BBC

In this case, correlations between measurements 12 hours apart might be higher than those taken 24 hours apart.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "approximately 12 hours apart" when you want to indicate a rough time interval, acknowledging a possible slight variation. This is particularly useful in scientific or medical contexts where precision isn't always possible or necessary.

Common error

While 'about' can sometimes replace "approximately", avoid using it if a more precise indication is needed. For example, in medication schedules, "approximately 12 hours apart" is clearer than 'about 12 hours apart' if a consistent routine is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately 12 hours apart" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the temporal distance or interval between two events, actions, or measurements. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from medication schedules to work shifts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approximately 12 hours apart" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a time interval of roughly half a day between two events. Ludwig confirms its correctness and utility across various contexts, notably science, news, and academia. While "approximately 12 hours apart" isn't as common as other time-related expressions, it provides a clear and practical way to communicate time intervals where precision is not critical. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately represents the intended level of estimation and fits the overall formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more or less 12 hours apart

Adds a degree of imprecision using "more or less".

around 12 hours in between

Indicates an estimated duration separating events.

with a gap of about 12 hours

Focuses on the gap or interval between events.

roughly 12 hours distant

Emphasizes spatial separation in time rather than a schedule.

about 12 hours elapsed

Highlights the passing of time between two points.

spaced roughly 12 hours from each other

Highlights the spacing or distribution of events in time.

nearly 12 hours separating them

Focuses on the separation created by the time interval.

separated by approximately half a day

Emphasizes the 'half-day' aspect of the time period.

almost 12 hours difference

Highlights the difference in time rather than separation.

at roughly half-day intervals

Uses a less common, more descriptive term for the time frame.

FAQs

How can I use "approximately 12 hours apart" in a sentence?

You can use "approximately 12 hours apart" to describe events or actions that are separated by roughly half a day. For example, "The medication should be taken approximately 12 hours apart" or "The work shifts were scheduled approximately 12 hours apart".

What are some alternatives to saying "approximately 12 hours apart"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "about 12 hours apart", "roughly 12 hours in between", or "around 12 hours apart" depending on the level of formality and context.

Is it more accurate to say "approximately 12 hours apart" or "exactly 12 hours apart"?

"Approximately 12 hours apart" indicates an estimate, while "exactly 12 hours apart" implies a precise duration. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual time interval you are describing. If you need to show imprecision, use "approximately", otherwise, you must use "exactly".

What's the difference between "approximately 12 hours apart" and "every 12 hours"?

"Approximately 12 hours apart" describes the space between two events, while "every 12 hours" indicates a recurring event at intervals of roughly 12 hours. So, "every 12 hours" indicates regularity, while "approximately 12 hours apart" describes just the time difference between two distinct events.