Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

approximately there are

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately there are" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when trying to express an estimated quantity or number of something. Example: "Approximately there are 50 participants in the study."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Approximately, there are ten times more expected fades for u ⊥=10 m/s than for the case of u ⊥=1 m/s.

Approximately, there are 10% more subjects with adherence to component of duration per session (70.1%; CI = 63.0 to 77.2) than frequency per week (60.7%; CI = 53.7 to 67.7).

Approximately there are 30 types of fungi that are capable of causing disease in humans.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

During the Devonian period, for example, (approximately ) there were 400 days in a year, with each day lasting 21.8 hours.

In Hungary there are approximately 1,500 thermal springs.

News & Media

Forbes

From recollection there were approximately eight people… [there].

News & Media

Independent

It's decided there's approximately as much light as there should be.

The lines for the BP match this approximately, since there is no need for communication there.

A ride there is £90 (approximately $135) an hour.

News & Media

Huffington Post

There are approximately 210,000 single-sex schools around the world.

News & Media

Huffington Post

There are approximately 2,000 people there now.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical correctness, rephrase sentences using "approximately" to modify the number directly (e.g., "There are approximately 300 students") or use phrases like "there are roughly" or "there are about".

Common error

Avoid placing "approximately" directly before "there are". This phrasing is awkward. Instead, ensure "approximately" modifies the quantity directly: "There are approximately X" or "There are roughly X".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as an introductory element indicating an estimated quantity. However, the word order is considered grammatically incorrect. As stated by Ludwig AI, a more conventional structure places the adverb "approximately" closer to the numerical value being estimated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "approximately there are" appears in some written sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, it's advisable to rephrase sentences to use constructions like "there are approximately," "there are roughly," or "there are about" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy. Usage is spread across news, science, and wiki sources, but attention to correct grammatical structure will enhance the phrase's suitability for professional and academic contexts.

FAQs

Is "approximately there are" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "approximately there are" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use "there are approximately" or alternatives like "there are roughly".

What's a more formal way to say "approximately there are"?

While "approximately there are" isn't recommended, a more formal phrasing would be "it is estimated that there are" or "there are approximately". Avoid the original construction.

How can I rephrase a sentence that starts with "approximately there are"?

Restructure the sentence to place "approximately" before the numerical value or use alternatives like "there are about" or "there are roughly".

What are some common synonyms for "approximately" when estimating quantities?

Common synonyms include "about", "roughly", "around", and "nearly". Use these in phrases like "there are about", "there are roughly", or "there are around".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: