at a closer approximation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a closer approximation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing estimates or measurements that are being refined or made more accurate. Example: "At a closer approximation, the project's completion date is expected to be next Friday rather than the previously estimated date."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Similarly, arriving at a closer approximation of a poverty count allows us to better understand the magnitude of the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Her chapters on Reed's youth vividly portray him as a close approximation of the monster liberals imagine.

The New York Times - Books

Sidgwick, however, aimed simply at "progress in the direction of a closer approximation to a perfectly enlightened Utilitarianism" (Sidgwick, 1907: 455).

SEP

Go for the tilapia instead ($17.95), a closer approximation of Mekong River fish.

The New York Times - Food

Decades of uninterrupted power is probably a closer approximation of Isaias' dreams.

Vice

Arguably, the use of older cells by Chen and colleagues might be a closer approximation to the cells one would use in patients.

Huffington Post

We consider this to be a closer approximation to our experiment, which lasted for 21 generations.

Plosone

Poisson regression with random effects allows a closer approximation to the geographical structure of the data.

British Journal of Cancer

This step was repeated three times to create a closer approximation to the group average.

Brain

A person will listen to the place-name spoken and then phonetically render the place-name in his or her own language, creating at best a close approximation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They wanted to see if technology could be trained to re-colorize images so you could really see what it was like back then, or at least a close approximation.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a closer approximation" when you want to emphasize that an estimate or calculation has been refined to be more accurate than a previous one.

Common error

Avoid using "at a closer approximation" if the improvement in accuracy is negligible or purely theoretical; ensure the refinement has a tangible impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a closer approximation" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the manner or degree to which something is being estimated or measured. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a closer approximation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates an improvement in the accuracy of an estimate or measurement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news, science, and business. While alternatives like "with greater precision" or "more accurately" can be used, "at a closer approximation" explicitly highlights the process of refinement. Ensure its use is justified by a tangible improvement in accuracy to avoid overstatement. In summary, the phrase is best used to emphasize the progress towards a more precise understanding, contributing clarity and nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with greater precision

Emphasizes the improved accuracy and detail achieved.

more accurately

Focuses on achieving a higher degree of correctness.

with improved accuracy

Highlights the enhancement in correctness and reliability.

to a finer degree

Indicates a more detailed and precise level of measurement or estimation.

with enhanced precision

Highlights that precision has been improved or made better.

in more exact terms

Stresses the use of precise and accurate language.

with greater exactitude

Emphasizes a meticulous and precise approach.

more realistically

Focuses on achieving greater realism or fidelity to reality.

with better fidelity

Highlights improved accuracy in representing the true state of something.

more nearly

Focuses on achieving a result that is closer to a target or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "at a closer approximation" in a sentence?

You can use "at a closer approximation" to indicate that a measurement or estimate is now more accurate. For example, "At a closer approximation, the project will be completed by next quarter."

What phrases are similar to "at a closer approximation"?

Alternatives include "with greater precision", "more accurately", or "with improved accuracy".

Is it always necessary to specify the initial approximation when using "at a closer approximation"?

No, it's not always necessary, but providing context about the initial approximation can help highlight the improvement in accuracy.

Can "at a closer approximation" be used in informal contexts?

While generally suitable for formal or neutral contexts, it can be used informally when discussing improvements in estimates or measurements.