are approximately right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are approximately right" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing estimates or approximations that are close to the actual values or truths. Example: "The calculations we made for the project are approximately right, but we should double-check the figures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The conclusions for the cases at 1350 Hz (d/λ = 0.09) and 5000 Hz (d/λ = 0.33) are approximately right, whereas the case at 3000 Hz (d/λ = 0.2) shows some deviations in experimental results because of effects of other errors.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The columns are approximately right circular cylinders, and a regular grid of equilateral triangles is the densest packing configuration for right circular cylinders on a plane.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's approximately right anyway.

Yale University

Do you recall if this number is approximately right?

Yale University

Nevertheless, it's better to be approximately right than precisely wrong.

Harvard Business Review

The objective is to be approximately right, say within 5%to10%0% of the actual number, rather than precise.

Harvard Business Review

The redox process can be formulated, for example, as Fe2O3 its)+2H++2H2SO4+2e−=2FeSO4s+3H2O(1) and the potential derived from the free energy change is approximately right.

Electrochimica Acta

As long as the guess was approximately right, the resulting vaccine would confer enough protection to break the chain of transmission.

The Economist

"Being approximately right most of the time is better than being precisely right occasionally". Anonymous. Anonymous

Emerging Infectious Diseases

As Michael O'Leary, another of Mike's former epidemiology students, paraphrased him: "It's better to be approximately right today than exactly right tomorrow".

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Such slant-range change distributions are approximately explained by right-lateral slip of the faults, but their details cannot be explained by such simple faulting.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are approximately right", ensure that the context makes it clear that some degree of error or imprecision is acceptable. It's ideal for situations where exactness isn't critical, but a reasonable estimate is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "are approximately right" when precision is paramount. If exact figures or data are available, using this phrase can undermine the credibility of your statement. Instead, opt for precise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are approximately right" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is not exactly correct but close enough to be considered valid or acceptable. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are approximately right" is grammatically sound and serves to qualify a statement, indicating near correctness without absolute precision. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness across diverse contexts. While not exceedingly common, it finds relevance in scientific, journalistic, and academic settings. When exactness isn't vital, this phrase effectively communicates that an estimate or approximation is reasonably accurate, offering a balanced assessment. Consider alternatives like "are roughly correct" or "are nearly accurate" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are roughly correct

Replaces "approximately" with "roughly", indicating a similar level of imprecision.

are nearly accurate

Substitutes "approximately right" with "nearly accurate", focusing on the accuracy aspect.

are close to correct

Emphasizes the proximity to being fully correct.

are reasonably accurate

Indicates a level of accuracy that is acceptable or satisfactory.

are fairly accurate

Similar to "reasonably accurate", suggesting a good but not perfect level of accuracy.

are about right

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a general agreement with the correct answer or value.

are in the right ballpark

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest being close to the correct value or answer.

are on the right track

Focuses on the direction being correct rather than the exact value.

are just about right

Adds a touch of informality while maintaining the meaning of near correctness.

are more or less correct

Uses a double qualifier to express approximate correctness.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "are approximately right"?

Use "are approximately right" when you're discussing estimates, approximations, or calculations that don't require absolute precision. It's suitable when the context implies that a degree of variance is acceptable.

What are some alternatives to "are approximately right"?

You can use alternatives like "are roughly correct", "are nearly accurate", or "are close to correct" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "are approximately right" differ from "are exactly right"?

"Are approximately right" indicates a degree of imprecision, suggesting the values are close but not perfectly accurate. "Are exactly right", on the other hand, means the values are perfectly accurate with no deviation.

Is it better to be "approximately right" or precisely wrong?

As some sources suggest, it's often better to be "approximately right" than precisely wrong, especially in situations where having a general understanding is more valuable than being minutely incorrect. However, the specific context always matters.