approximately four hundred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately four hundred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate an estimated quantity or number that is around four hundred, without being exact. Example: "The event attracted approximately four hundred attendees, making it one of the largest gatherings we've had."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

10.05pm BST There is now the first of approximately four hundred interminable recaps.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They divide their approximately four hundred sources into two categories: tippers and reporters.

The New Yorker

On October 24 , 1994 for example, the government repatriated approximately four hundred Haitian refugees.

Yale University

The outside of the building was also dismantled, and approximately four hundred of its thirteen hundred cast-iron pieces were recast.

The New Yorker

The distance between Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City, and Holcomb, which might be called a suburb of Garden City, is approximately four hundred miles.

The New Yorker

The analysis is based on a quasi-experimental research design including approximately four hundred children in treatment and comparable control communities.

Economics of Education Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

But even if you accept these estimates as realistic (plenty of observers would not), where are the rest of the savings, approximately four hundred billion dollars a year, going to come from?

The New Yorker

A couple of years later, Swartz attempted a similar feat when he connected a laptop to M.I.T.'s computer network to download approximately four hundred and fifty thousand documents from the online academic-article repository JSTOR.

The New Yorker

But De Quincey's opium use now passed the point of no return, peaking at a rate of approximately four hundred and eighty grains per day, or twelve thousand drops of laudanum.

The New Yorker

One strain of Clostridia, C. difficile, is now resistant to most antibiotics and is rapidly spreading in hospitals and nursing homes; in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported approximately four hundred and thirty thousand related infections and twenty-nine thousand deaths in 2011.

The New Yorker

difficile, is now resistant to most antibiotics and is rapidly spreading in hospitals and nursing homes; in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported approximately four hundred and thirty thousand related infections and twenty-nine thousand deaths in 2011.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "approximately four hundred" when you need to indicate an estimated quantity without being precise. This is useful in reports, news articles, or general conversation where exact figures are not critical.

Common error

Avoid using "approximately four hundred" when you have access to the exact figure. If you know the exact number, use it to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately four hundred" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate an estimated number. It adds a degree of imprecision to the quantity, suggesting it's not an exact count. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approximately four hundred" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an estimated quantity. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is correct and versatile across various contexts. It's frequently found in news, scientific, and academic publications, providing a general sense of amount without requiring precision. While acceptable in formal writing, it's best to avoid it when the exact figure is known. Alternative phrases like "around four hundred" or "about four hundred" can be used interchangeably to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around four hundred

Replaces "approximately" with "around", indicating an estimation.

about four hundred

Substitutes "approximately" with "about", suggesting a rough estimate.

roughly four hundred

Uses "roughly" instead of "approximately", implying an approximate number.

in the neighborhood of four hundred

Offers a more descriptive alternative to "approximately", indicating an estimated range.

in the vicinity of four hundred

Similar to "in the neighborhood of", suggesting a nearby quantity.

more or less four hundred

Indicates some flexibility around the exact number of 400.

something like four hundred

Emphasizes the inexact nature of the quantity.

close to four hundred

Suggests the actual number is near to four hundred.

nearly four hundred

Implies the number is just short of four hundred.

almost four hundred

Similar to "nearly", indicating a number close to but not quite four hundred.

FAQs

How can I use "approximately four hundred" in a sentence?

You can use "approximately four hundred" to indicate an estimated quantity. For example, "The study involved approximately four hundred participants."

What can I say instead of "approximately four hundred"?

You can use alternatives like "around four hundred", "about four hundred", or "roughly four hundred" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "approximately four hundred" in formal writing?

Yes, "approximately four hundred" is appropriate in formal writing when an exact number is not available or necessary. However, ensure the context doesn't require precise figures.

How does "approximately four hundred" differ from "exactly four hundred"?

"Approximately four hundred" indicates an estimation, whereas "exactly four hundred" specifies a precise quantity. Use "approximately" when the number is not确切.