approximation

USAGE SUMMARY

'approximation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something is not exact but close to it. For example: My approximation of the distance between us was only slightly off.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The "make-up" of the three Cabinet ministers is as close an approximation as possible to the features, dress, and manners of the originals, and the fun of the thing consists partly in placing them in ridiculous situations, and partly in making them utter ludicrous exaggerations of the sentiments which they are supposed to profess or act upon in their public conduct.

The Guardian

It may or may not be a coincidence that the same day these results emerged, Cowell's real cash-cow, boy band One Direction, announced their second and third bites at the concert-movie format – thereby reminding everyone of Cowell's only approximation of cinematic success, the first One Direction concert-movie, This Is Us.

The Guardian - Film

As no vampires were available for study, leeches were used instead (hey, if pigs are a good enough approximation for humans…).

The Guardian

While pigs are a fairly decent approximation of humans in such contexts, the study failed to detect two compounds, cadaverine and putrescine, usually found in decaying human cadavers.

The Guardian

As always, getting at the truth - or even an approximation of the truth - proved impossible.

The Guardian

The Alan Parsons Project's Pyramid (1978) was fronted by portrait of a solitary figure in a hotel bedroom, riven with a huge abstract, blue blob of interference, as near to an approximation of a migraine as any visual artist has probably ever managed.

The Guardian - Music

It's rumoured that writers on series such as Midsomer Murders have a strict limit on the body count, possibly in order to keep the village populated while clinging to a faint approximation of real life (still, 100 murders already, why does anyone go and live there?), but under the multi-casualty influence of Scandinoir, who knows what might happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the early 90s, although the approximation was that one in five adults had contracted the virus, neither the press nor the government mentioned Aids.

The Guardian

Generally, the tone's a little closer to the chatty informality of something like This American Life than the New Yorker's austere authoritativeness (you suspect that a straight approximation of the latter wouldn't transfer terribly well to television) but is informative enough.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If we take the time for respectful discourse, information and opinion can be shared, and who knows, maybe even some approximation of truth can be found.

The Guardian

So here they are, Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg, gabbing away in a weird double approximation of how Vince Vaughn speaks.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approximation", clearly state the degree of accuracy or the limitations of the approximation to avoid misinterpretations. Specify what aspects are being approximated and to what extent the result is reliable.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "approximation" as an exact value or fact. Always acknowledge the inherent uncertainty and potential error margin to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The word "approximation" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act, process, or result of approximating something. It is used to describe an inexact but acceptably close value or representation, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approximation" is a noun used to describe something that is similar but not exactly equal to something else. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. The term is grammatically correct and versatile, though care should be taken to not overstate the accuracy of a particular "approximation". Related terms include "estimation", "estimate", and "likeness". Ludwig AI confirms that "approximation" is appropriate in various situations and can be a valuable way to communicate non-exact but useful information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

estimation

Focuses on the process of finding an approximate value or quantity.

estimate

Highlights a rough calculation or judgment of value, number, quantity, or extent.

close estimate

Indicates that the calculation is relatively near the true value.

rough calculation

Emphasizes the inexact nature of the computation.

near equivalent

Indicates that the alternative option serves almost the same purpose or value.

likeness

Emphasizes the degree of similarity, not necessarily numerical.

semblance

Highlights the outward appearance or impression of something.

resemblance

Stresses a similarity in appearance or nature.

working model

Suggests a practical, though perhaps simplified, representation.

substitute

Focuses on replacing one thing with something similar.

FAQs

How to use "approximation" in a sentence?

You can use "approximation" to indicate an estimated value or a close resemblance. For example, "The calculation was just an "approximation", not an exact figure" or "The model is a good "approximation" of reality".

What can I say instead of "approximation"?

You can use alternatives like "estimation", "estimate", "rough calculation", or "likeness" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "approximation" or "approximate"?

"Approximation" is a noun, referring to the act or result of approximating, while "approximate" is an adjective or verb. For instance, "The "approximation" was close" (noun) versus "The "approximate" value is 10" (adjective) or "I will "approximate" the value" (verb).

What's the difference between "approximation" and "estimate"?

Both "approximation" and "estimate" suggest a non-exact calculation, but ""approximation"" often implies a method or process of getting close to a value, whereas "estimate" is more generally a judgment or rough calculation.