at approximately

USAGE SUMMARY

"at approximately" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are speculating about a time or approximating a time. For example: "I will arrive at the office at approximately 8:45 am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At approximately $100 per person.

The New York Times

At approximately 2 a.m.

The Washington Post

"At approximately that, yes," Detective Bendul testified.

The New York Times

At approximately 7 30 a.m.

Stanford University

Session 1 began at approximately 9am.

Nature

At approximately 9 07 am the Britannic sank.

Encyclopedia Britannica

§ 254.11 Exchanges at approximately equal value.

Cornell University

Doors will open at approximately 10 a.m.

Stanford University

A heron squawks at approximately 19 seconds.

Cornell University

BERKELEY — At approximately 11 p.m. Friday (Dec.

University of California, Berkeley

The victory today will put her at approximately No. 15.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at approximately" when you want to provide an estimate or an approximation rather than an exact figure or time. This helps convey a sense of imprecision without sacrificing clarity.

Common error

Avoid following "at approximately" with overly precise numbers. For instance, instead of saying "at approximately 10:03 am", opt for "at approximately 10:00 am" or "around 10 am" to maintain the sense of estimation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at approximately" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb by providing an estimated or approximate value, time, or location. It indicates that the information provided is not exact but is a close estimate. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

23%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at approximately" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate an estimation or approximation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. Predominantly found in news, academic and scientific contexts, it provides a degree of imprecision while maintaining clarity. When using this phrase, avoid following it with overly precise numbers to preserve the intended meaning. For alternatives, consider "roughly at" or "about at", depending on the desired level of formality. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "at approximately" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly at

Swaps the order and uses 'roughly' instead of 'approximately' modifying the preposition 'at'.

nearly at

Replaces 'approximately' with 'nearly', indicating a slight degree of uncertainty.

about at

Uses 'about' as a synonym for 'approximately', slightly more informal.

almost at

Similar to 'nearly at', indicating a value just shy of the given one.

around at

Uses 'around' as a more casual synonym for 'approximately'.

close to

Indicates nearness, rather than an estimated point.

in the area of

Suggests a broader, less precise estimate.

in the vicinity of

More formal, emphasizes a general area rather than a specific approximation.

in the neighborhood of

Similar to 'in the vicinity of' but slightly less formal.

give or take

Indicates a range with potential for slight deviation.

FAQs

How can I use "at approximately" in a sentence?

You can use "at approximately" to introduce an estimated time, quantity, or value. For example, "The meeting will start at approximately 2:00 PM" or "The cost is estimated at approximately $500".

What phrases are similar to "at approximately"?

Similar phrases include "roughly at", "about at", "nearly at", and "around at". These all convey an estimated or approximate value.

Is it better to use "at approximately" or "exactly at"?

Use "at approximately" when you are estimating or providing an approximation. Use "exactly at" only when you know the precise time or value.

Can "at approximately" be used for quantities or only for time?

"At approximately" can be used for both quantities and time. For example, "The crowd was estimated at approximately 1000 people" (quantity) or "The event will begin at approximately 8:00 PM" (time).