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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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approximately on average

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately on average" is not correct and is redundant in written English.
You can use it when trying to convey a general estimate, but it is better to choose one of the terms to avoid confusion. Example: "The project will take approximately on average three weeks to complete."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Subsequently each individual DNA library sequenced in three lanes of HiSeq2500 machine achieving approximately on average a base coverage more than 20X.

Science & Research

Nature

The diameters of these microholes are approximately on average 12 and 21 μm, respectively.

Although the compliance rate in hand hygiene on average only amounts to 50%, it can be safely assumed that approximately on average 20 hygienic hand disinfections are carried out per healthcare worker per shift [ 19].

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whichever is your sensibility, it should be comparatively cheap: a beer costs about a lat (approximately £1) on average and you can eat a three-course meal for under a tenner even in the more touristy areas.

The AUC is approximately 0.95 on average, which compares to 0.83 and 0.72 for the five and one year memory models respectively.

In addition, their constant trends were approximately 0.08 °C/decade, on average, from the 1980s to the 2000s, while the NOAA-old trend kept decreasing during the last three decades at a rate similar to that during previous decades after World War II.

Science & Research

Nature

In 1990, positive selection of women was approximately 12percentt on average, while men were 8percentt.

With the present technique, we show that they do in fact approximately cancel on average.

Per users, Opera Mini users spent approximately $4 on average in the month of February, which comes out to $48 per year.

News & Media

TechCrunch

If they bought these loans at any time after 2004, the value of these assets have already fallen approximately 40% on average since the market peak in 2007.

News & Media

Forbes

The transmittance value increased by approximately 5% on average, and there was an obvious difference between the 2 h ZnO growth and 4 h ZnO growth samples.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose either "approximately" or "on average" to avoid redundancy. Using both together doesn't add value and can make your writing sound less precise. For example, instead of "approximately on average three weeks", say "approximately three weeks" or "on average three weeks".

Common error

Avoid using both "approximately" and "on average" together. This combination is unnecessary because "approximately" already implies an estimated value, and "on average" already suggests a typical or common value. Combining them creates a redundant expression that weakens the impact of your statement.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately on average" functions as an adverbial phrase, intended to modify a verb or clause by indicating an estimated average quantity. However, it's grammatically redundant, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "approximately on average" is grammatically redundant and should be avoided in writing. Ludwig AI identifies this as an incorrect usage. While it's meant to convey an estimated typical value, using either ""approximately"" or ""on average"" separately is clearer and more concise. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific contexts, but its incorrectness diminishes its credibility across all registers. Remember to choose one term to improve clarity and precision in your writing.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "approximately on average"?

No, the phrase "approximately on average" is grammatically redundant. It's better to use either "approximately" or "on average" separately to convey the intended meaning.

What does "approximately on average" mean?

The phrase "approximately on average" aims to convey an estimated or typical value. However, it's redundant because both words serve a similar function. Using just one – either "approximately" or "on average" – is sufficient.

How can I use "approximately" and "on average" correctly in a sentence?

Use "approximately" when you want to indicate an estimate, such as "The project will take "approximately" three weeks to complete." Use "on average" to indicate a typical value, such as "On average, it takes three weeks to complete the project."

Which is a better phrase to use, "approximately" or "on average"?

The best phrase depends on the context. Use "approximately" when you are giving an estimate. Use "on average" when you are talking about a typical value based on multiple instances or data points.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: