as a crude approximation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a crude approximation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that a measurement or estimate is rough and not precise. Example: "The results of the experiment can be interpreted as a crude approximation of the actual values."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The unit-length vector v 1, i.e., the first right singular vector, maximizes the Euclidean norm ∥A v∥2 and can hence be seen as the vector with unit length which undergoes the maximum amplification under A. Thus, v 1 serves as a crude approximation of the directions of the columns of A. Similarly, u 1 maximizes ∥A T u∥2 and serves as an approximation of the row-directions.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Let's say, as a crude approximation, that the trade deficit is one-third caused by the overvalued dollar (having its roots in our budget deficit and consequent high interest rates), one-third caused by unfair trading practices by our trading partners, especially Japan, and the final third caused by our inability to compete without protection with the rest of the world.

Los Angeles Times

Without a direct and continuous measurement of the actual temperature, the reported average temperature and humidity levels can only be used as a crude approximation of the actual temperatures.

Plosone

As a crude approximation to implementation effort, we here compare code sizes for 'real-world' applications.

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The work presented here also discusses the selection of transport properties at appropriate temperatures to calculate convective fluxes by using a crude approximation as opposed to detailed temperature measurements in such flames.

Combustion and Flame

(Stipulating that a line between "hardware" and "software" is at best a crude approximation as basically all hardware projects involve a lot of custom software, too).

TechCrunch

They consider an interest rate as a fixed amount, but this is a crude approximation to reality.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Hence, to a crude approximation, the QCL system can be approximated to be ∼20-fold faster than a hypothetical LA FT-IR system.

Analytical Chemistry

We emphasize at this point that the 2 × 2 matrix description, which we employed above to illustrate our strategy, constitutes a crude approximation of the full problem as realized in the experiment.

Nature

This is assuming that the lens crystallines have been formed as a single event at the year of birth, which is only a crude approximation.

Plosone

The three components are generally treated as additive in the models, although it is recognized that this is only a crude approximation of reality.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a crude approximation", acknowledge the limitations of your estimate. For example, state why it's a simplification or what factors it doesn't consider. This adds transparency and manages expectations.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "crude approximation" as a definitive or precise value. Always contextualize it as an estimate with inherent limitations. For instance, avoid using it as the only base for critical decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a crude approximation" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement to indicate that it's not precise but still useful. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It qualifies the accuracy of a claim or value.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a crude approximation" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to introduce an estimate while acknowledging its imprecision. As per Ludwig, it is acceptable in writing, though alternatives may be more appropriate depending on context. It appears more frequently in science and news media, signifying its utility in describing simplified models or initial estimates. When using this phrase, transparency about its limitations is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a rough estimate

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the estimation.

as a ballpark figure

Highlights that the value is only approximate and within a general range.

as an initial guess

Indicates that the value is a starting point and may need refinement.

as a back-of-the-envelope calculation

Stresses the informality and lack of rigor in the calculation.

as a quick and dirty estimate

Highlights that the value was obtained rapidly and without much effort.

as a simplified model

Indicates that the estimate is based on a simplified model that does not capture all the nuances of the situation.

for the sake of simplicity

Highlights the use of approximation to simplify a complex scenario.

in broad strokes

Emphasizes that the description is general and lacks detail.

to give a sense of scale

Focuses on providing a general idea of the magnitude involved.

as a rule of thumb

Suggests the approximation serves as a practical guideline.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "as a crude approximation"?

Use "as a crude approximation" when you are presenting a rough estimate or calculation that lacks precision but still provides a general idea or starting point. It's suitable when detailed data or exact methods are unavailable or unnecessary.

What are some alternatives to "as a crude approximation"?

You can use alternatives like "as a rough estimate", "as a ballpark figure", or "as an initial guess" depending on the context.

How does "as a crude approximation" differ from "as an exact calculation"?

"As a crude approximation" implies a simplified or imprecise method, whereas "as an exact calculation" suggests a precise and detailed method resulting in a highly accurate value. They represent opposite ends of the accuracy spectrum.

Is it acceptable to base important decisions on "as a crude approximation"?

While "as a crude approximation" can provide initial insights, basing critical decisions solely on it is risky. It's best used to guide further investigation or combined with more precise data when available. Always acknowledge its limitations.