approximately all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately all" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
It is contradictory because "approximately" implies an estimate or a lack of precision, while "all" indicates totality. Example: "Approximately all of the participants agreed on the main issue."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But first the challenges, approximately all of which involve either putting your hands in things, or hands coming out of things.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It combines the hubris of his ends — the desire, shared by approximately all of us, to lay claim to the truth — with the humility of his means.

The New York Times - Books

Furthermore, the optimum strength was obtained by applying light and middle concentration of NaOH in approximately all specimens.

Materials & Design

This belief is on par with approximately all major religious that require some sort of headgear, from Judaism to the NFL.

TechCrunch

We'll have some finger food, a little dancing, maybe some networking and (sadly, as this is an approximately all ages show) a cash bar an open bar.

TechCrunch

This morning, we announced the final steps in returning approximately all of the $1.1 billion proceeds from the patent deal with Microsoft to our shareholders by year-end.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

We develop efficient methods to compute this measure, exactly or approximately, under all circumstances.

Artificial Intelligence

The PROMETHEE suggests 6 sensors with suitable distribution that approximately cover all regions of WDS.

Journal of Hydrology

Fatal drug poisonings comprise approximately 8% and all fatal poisonings approximately 15% of all toxicologically investigated cases.

Drug Testing and Analysis

That is approximately 3% of all deaths that year.

The Guardian - Opinion

The MoD owns approximately 1% of all UK land.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For enhanced clarity and grammatical precision, substitute "approximately all" with alternatives like "almost all" or "nearly all". This will improve the overall quality of your writing.

Common error

Be mindful that combining "approximately" with "all" can create a contradiction. "Approximately" implies an estimate, while "all" suggests totality. Choose one or the other, or use a more precise modifier like "almost" or "nearly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately all" functions as a determiner phrase aiming to quantify a noun, but it combines an estimation ("approximately") with a term denoting totality ("all"). Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "approximately all" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI points out its grammatical ambiguity. It combines the concept of estimation with totality, creating a degree of imprecision that can be confusing. Although common, particularly in scientific and news contexts, it's often better to use alternatives like "almost all" or "nearly all" for enhanced clarity. When in doubt, especially in formal writing, opt for a more precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all

Replaces "approximately" with "almost", indicating a near-complete quantity without estimation.

nearly all

Substitutes "approximately" with "nearly", conveying a similar sense of close-to-total quantity.

virtually all

Emphasizes that something is true for all practical purposes, with minimal exceptions.

roughly all

Similar to "approximately", but suggests a less precise estimate.

about all

Uses "about" to indicate an approximation of the total quantity.

practically all

Implies that while not strictly all, the exceptions are negligible.

the majority of

Focuses on the larger part of a group, rather than an estimation of the whole.

a large proportion of

Indicates a substantial, but not necessarily near-total, quantity.

close to all

Emphasizes the proximity to a complete set, with "close to" serving as a qualifier.

in the neighborhood of all

Adds a more colloquial and less precise estimation of totality.

FAQs

Is "approximately all" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "approximately all" is considered grammatically "incorrect" as it combines an estimation with a term indicating totality. Alternatives like "almost all" or "nearly all" are more suitable.

What can I use instead of "approximately all"?

Alternatives to "approximately all" include phrases such as "almost all", "nearly all", or "virtually all", depending on the desired level of precision and context.

How does the meaning of "approximately all" differ from "almost all"?

While both "approximately all" and "almost all" suggest a quantity close to the total, "approximately all" introduces a degree of uncertainty that "almost all" doesn't. Therefore, "almost all" is generally preferred for better clarity.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "approximately all"?

Although not grammatically ideal, "approximately all" might be found in informal contexts. However, for formal writing or situations requiring precision, it's best to opt for clearer alternatives like "nearly all" or "the majority of".