approximately when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to inquire about a time frame that is not exact but is close to a specific point in time. Example: "Can you tell me approximately when the meeting will start?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

But that is also approximately when Brexit negotiations will be reaching completion, and the effects will start to become real.

The Guardian

On the night of July 6 I called to ask somebody at Judson approximately when I was supposed to go on.

The New York Times - Arts

"They will be seeking to identify, if possible, approximately when these missing sections were separated or removed from the standpipe system," Mr. Bloomberg said.

The New York Times

"I knew what day they would set out from Duluth and approximately when they'd be getting into Chicago.

The New York Times

Nine months ago, a British Egyptologist reported that she had probably solved the puzzle of how the ancient Egyptians had aligned the pyramids of Giza to true north and approximately when they did it.

The New York Times - Science

It came up in two, maybe three meetings that we had with the president, and I -- sometime around the middle of January would seem approximately when the first meeting may have occurred.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

When X is beta distributed, JAV is approximately unbiased when R2 = 0.1, but biased (bias = 20%) when R2 = 0.8.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

From our independent simulation result, for a bit rate of 5 Mbps, the value of was determined to be approximately 0.487 when the transmitted signal bandwidth is 970 MHz and approximately 0.5 when the transmitted signal bandwidth is 500 MHz.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The probe generated a melting peak with a Tm of approximately 62.0°C when hybridised to the fully complementary alanine target sequence and exhibited a Tm of approximately 53.2°C when hybridised to the mismatched valine target sequence (Fig 1A).

BMC Infectious Diseases

The prediction results reveal an F-value of approximately 70% when the model is built by using network-based features, and an F-value of approximately 77% when the model is built by using attribute-based features.

Heliyon

The still ongoing sale of hybrid securities should bring the total proceeds up to approximately $20 billion when completed, the spokesman said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need to estimate a time but precision isn't critical, use "approximately when" to communicate that the time is not exact. For example, "I expect to arrive approximately when the sun sets."

Common error

Avoid using "approximately when" in situations demanding accuracy. For instance, in legal or scientific contexts, strive for precise dates and times. If accuracy is impossible, acknowledge uncertainty explicitly rather than relying solely on "approximately when".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately when" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating an estimated time. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to denote an imprecise point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science & Research

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approximately when" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate an estimated time, suitable when precision is not required. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various sources, including news, science, and general knowledge platforms. While highly functional, its neutral register suggests considering more formal alternatives in contexts demanding accuracy. Common synonyms include "around when" and "roughly when". Remember to avoid overusing it in situations that need precise dates and times to maximize clarity. Consider using it when asking for information or providing estimates.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around when

Indicates a time that is close to a specific point, suggesting less precision.

about when

Implies a rough estimate of time, without needing exactness.

roughly when

Suggests an imprecise time, close to a particular moment or period.

close to when

Highlights the proximity in time to a specific event or moment.

in the vicinity of when

More formal way to indicate an approximate time, suggesting the time may not be exact.

in the neighborhood of when

Indicates a range of time, similar to being in a particular area around a certain moment.

give or take when

Suggests a time frame with a degree of uncertainty, allowing for minor variations.

in the ballpark of when

Refers to a general timeframe, indicating the estimation is not precise.

give or take a little when

Similar to "give or take when" but emphasizes the potential for slight deviations in time.

estimated time of when

More formal alternative, emphasizing that the time is an approximation.

FAQs

What does "approximately when" mean?

The phrase "approximately when" means about when or around when, indicating an estimated time rather than a precise moment.

How can I use "approximately when" in a sentence?

You can use it to ask for or provide an estimated time. For example: "Approximately when will the project be completed?" or "I expect it to be finished "around when" the weather improves."

What's a more formal way of saying "approximately when"?

A more formal alternative would be "the estimated time of when" or "the approximate time of when", suitable for professional or academic writing.

Are there any synonyms for "approximately when"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "roughly when", "about when", or "around when" to convey a similar meaning.