approximately what time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately what time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about an estimated time for an event or action. Example: "Could you let me know approximately what time the meeting will start?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Approximately what time is it?

The New York Times

Tell your child approximately what time you'll be home.

Huffington Post

Decide at approximately what time you will be leaving.

WikiHow

Give her the details to which restaurants, on what days, and at approximately what time you are planning to be there.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

What time will it approximately end? Showing up at 5pm only to be told the race finished two hours ago can be heart breaking.

WikiHow

What time?

The New York Times

"What time have you?

The New Yorker

"What time?" "Six a.m".

The New York Times

What time was it?

The New Yorker

What time is checkout?

Forbes

"Is it what time?".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. While acceptable in most situations, "approximately what time" may be replaced with more formal alternatives like "at what estimated time" in professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "approximately what time" when precision is expected. If asking about a flight departure, for instance, confirm the exact time to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately what time" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about an estimated time. It sets an expectation for an imprecise or non-exact answer. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

38%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approximately what time" is a grammatically correct interrogative phrase used to ask for an estimated time. Ludwig AI affirms its appropriateness for general use. While it is a neutral expression applicable across various situations, it is more suited to scenarios where precision is not essential. When a precise time is needed, it is recommended to ask for the specific time instead. More formal alternatives include "at what estimated time", while casual options involve "roughly what time" or "about what time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly what time

Replaces "approximately" with "roughly", indicating a slightly less precise estimate.

about what time

Substitutes "approximately" with "about", offering a more casual way to inquire.

around what time

Uses "around" in place of "approximately", suggesting a general timeframe.

at what estimated time

Replaces "approximately" with "estimated", adding a more formal tone.

what time roughly

Reorders the phrase to place "roughly" after "time", slightly altering the emphasis.

what time approximately

Reorders the phrase to put approximately after time.

whenabouts

Uses a single word to ask for the approximate time, making it more concise.

what is the estimated time

Expands the question into a full sentence, increasing the formality.

can you give me a rough time

Changes the structure to a request, focusing on receiving an estimate.

when do you anticipate it will be

Asks when something is expected, offering a more elaborate and indirect question.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to ask "approximately what time"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "at what estimated time" or "what is the estimated time" to inquire about an approximate time.

What can I say instead of "approximately what time" in a casual setting?

For casual conversations, alternatives like "roughly what time", "about what time", or "around what time" are suitable.

Is it correct to say "what time approximately" instead of "approximately what time"?

While grammatically acceptable, "what time approximately" is less common and might sound slightly awkward. "Approximately what time" is the more natural and frequently used phrasing.

When is it not appropriate to use "approximately what time"?

Avoid using "approximately what time" when an exact time is required, such as confirming an appointment or a deadline. In such cases, ask for the specific time instead.