as an average

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as an average" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing typical values or general trends in data or statistics. Example: "As an average, students tend to score higher in mathematics than in literature."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He described Baghdadi as an "average guy".

The Guardian

There's no such thing as an average customer.

Harvard Business Review

"The Simpsons Movie," in the end, is as good as an average episode of "The Simpsons".

The New York Times

"You'll consistently see 72 or 78 miles per hour as an average speed," he says.

The New York Times - Travel

A patriot who accurately described himself as "an average Joe," he also became a ardent pacifist.

The New York Times - Arts

But why would someone who wanted to be remembered as an average guy become an actor?

The Guardian

As an average uninformed observer, I found myself grateful even for that slim shaft of clarity.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Now the law is as long as an average-size book.

The New York Times

Our guys have him as an average-plus skater.

Los Angeles Times

Data are expressed as an average±s.e.m. (n=10).

Nature

Data are expressed as an average±s.e.m. (n=10 16).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on average" rather than "as an average" for better readability.

Common error

Avoid treating the "average" value as an absolute truth. It represents a central tendency and may not accurately reflect individual instances or outliers. Remember, averages summarize data, but there can be a significant range of variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an average" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating that something is being considered or presented in terms of its typical or central value. It adds context to statements by specifying that a general value is being used, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as an average" is used to express that something is being considered in terms of its typical or representative value. Ludwig AI confirms that while grammatically correct, the more common and idiomatic alternative is "on average". Usage contexts span from science and news media to formal business settings, and while acceptable in formal writing, clarity and precision are paramount when reporting statistical findings. To enhance communication, avoid treating averages as absolute truths and make sure you always clarify what exactly you're averaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on average

This is the most direct and common substitute, focusing on the typical value.

as a mean

Replaces 'average' with 'mean', another statistical term for central tendency.

typically

Focuses on what usually happens or is the norm, omitting the explicit calculation.

in general

Indicates a broad tendency or pattern without specific numerical reference.

for the most part

Highlights the prevalence of a certain condition or value.

as a rule

Emphasizes a common or standard practice.

ordinarily

Similar to 'typically', but with a slightly more formal tone.

on a typical basis

More verbose, explicitly states the consideration of a usual case.

taking everything into account

This phrase reflects when you calculate the average of all the factors.

considering standard values

Focuses on the use of established average values.

FAQs

What's the difference between "as an average" and "on average"?

While both phrases refer to a typical value, "on average" is more common and idiomatic in English. "As an average" is grammatically correct but less frequently used. It is generally preferable to use "on average" for clarity and naturalness.

Can I use "as an average" in formal writing?

Yes, "as an average" is acceptable in formal writing. However, consider whether "on average" or a more precise statistical term (e.g., "mean", "median") might be clearer or more appropriate for your specific context.

How do I correctly use "as an average" in a sentence?

Ensure that the sentence clearly specifies what is being averaged. For example, "As an average, students scored 75% on the exam" indicates the typical score across all students.

What are some alternatives to "as an average" that aren't just "on average"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "typically", "in general", or "for the most part" to convey a general trend without explicitly mentioning an average value.