as an approximation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as an approximation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that a value or description is not exact but is close enough for practical purposes. Example: "The distance to the nearest town is about 10 miles, as an approximation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The square has been recreated as an approximation of what stood there before the war.

The Guardian - Travel

"Why don't we use the Virgin sign as an approximation?" Mr. Tompkins asked, nodding at the music store.

The New York Times

In common with others, he gave it high marks for tastiness, and scored it low as an approximation of beer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The law is now used only as an approximation at intermediately high temperatures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It simply seems to hold as an approximation of the breath, and, as such, serves as a metaphor for the experience of a moment.

The Guardian - Books

For $3.4 billion of the assets, more than 10percentt of the total, State Street used book value as an approximation of fair value.

The New York Times

Thus it is treated as an approximation.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In discrete time, dynamic replication can be regarded as an approximation.

Principles of Financial Engineering

Stereological parameters have been used as an approximation for the architecture of trabecular bone.

Bone

It can also be utilized for cased and perforated wells as an approximation tool.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

This controller design procedure can be interpreted as an approximation of the Internal Model Control technique.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as an approximation", ensure the context makes it clear what is being approximated and why an exact value is not possible or necessary.

Common error

Avoid providing excessively precise figures or details immediately after using "as an approximation". Doing so can create a contradiction and undermine the initial indication of inexactness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an approximation" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something is being presented as an inexact but useful estimate. Ludwig AI confirms this, presenting numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as an approximation" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a value or result is not exact but serves a practical purpose. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence across diverse fields, especially in science and news. Grammatically sound and generally neutral to formal in tone, it functions as an adverbial phrase, useful for qualifying statements and acknowledging a degree of imprecision. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context readily reveals what you are approximating and why you opt for this method. Consider synonyms like "approximately" or "roughly" for brevity. Ludwig's analysis confirms the phrase's effectiveness in situations where exactness is either unattainable or unnecessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately

This is a direct synonym, indicating a value or quantity that is close but not exact. This is less verbose.

about

A simple and common way to indicate an approximate quantity or time. Quite informal and very concise.

roughly

Similar to "approximately", but suggests a less precise estimate. Conveys a sense of imprecision.

in the ballpark

An idiomatic expression indicating a value is close to the actual figure. More informal.

more or less

Indicates a slight degree of inaccuracy or variability. Suggests a near equivalence.

by estimate

Implies that a calculation has been made, but the result is not precise.

to a degree

Suggests that something is true or accurate, but only partially. Implies some inaccuracy.

for all intents and purposes

Indicates that something is effectively true, even if not technically or precisely so. More verbose and formal.

a rule of thumb

Implies using a practical, but not always accurate, method for estimation. Refers to a simple principle.

in round numbers

Indicates a value has been rounded to a convenient number. Primarily for numerical values.

FAQs

How can I use "as an approximation" in a sentence?

Use "as an approximation" to indicate that a value or result is not exact but close enough for a specific purpose. For example, "We used the previous year's sales figures "as an approximation" for the current quarter's projections."

What phrases are similar to "as an approximation"?

Alternatives include "approximately", "roughly", or "about". The best choice depends on the level of formality and the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "as an approximation"?

It's suitable when an exact measurement or calculation is not feasible, necessary, or available, but a close estimate is sufficient. Use it in situations where precision is not critical or when dealing with incomplete data.

What is the difference between "as an approximation" and "as an estimate"?

While similar, "as an approximation" often implies a method or value used because an exact one is unattainable, whereas "as an estimate" simply suggests a calculated guess. An "estimate" is usually based on available data, but an approximation may involve simplifying assumptions.