ballpark figure

USAGE SUMMARY

"ballpark figure" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about an estimate or approximate figure. For example, you could say "The market research team gave me a ballpark figure of 1,000,000 for our expected annual profit".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's just a ballpark figure.

The New Yorker

Is 25% an accurate ballpark figure?

The Guardian - Books

Let's just say, for a ballpark figure, easily six digits within twelve months".

The New York Times

Coming up with a ballpark figure is not that hard to do.

The New York Times

(Enter victim's age, salary, number of dependents, get a ballpark figure).

The New York Times - Magazine

What is the ballpark figure where deaths in the construction of ballparks become unacceptable?

The Guardian - Sport

But he said a ballpark figure "in the order thousands of pounds a year" was realistic.

The Guardian

A ballpark figure of about 60 billion euros, or $76 billion, is already widely assumed.

The New York Times

Is there a ballpark figure of what you want to spend and does this cover all the costs?

The Guardian

The ballpark figure hospital receptionists give over the phone is that cancer treatment costs around 140 million tomans.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When referring to numbers we say it's 'in the ball park' or 'ballpark figure'.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ballpark figure", ensure the context makes it clear that you are providing an approximation, not a precise number. For example, qualify it with phrases like "roughly" or "approximately."

Common error

Avoid treating a "ballpark figure" as a definitive value in critical decision-making scenarios. Always seek more precise data when accuracy is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ballpark figure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object of a verb or following a preposition. It represents an approximate or estimated value. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ballpark figure" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to express an approximate estimate. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various domains, particularly in news and media. It serves the purpose of providing a general idea or sense of scale when precise numbers aren't available or necessary. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to remember that a "ballpark figure" is not a guaranteed value and should not be used in scenarios demanding high precision. For more accurate communication, consider using alternatives like "rough estimate" or "guesstimate" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough estimate

Focuses on the approximation aspect, emphasizing that it's not precise.

guesstimate

Combines 'guess' and 'estimate', implying a blend of both approaches.

educated guess

Highlights that the estimate is based on some knowledge or reasoning.

approximate value

Emphasizes that the value isn't exact but close to the real one.

order of magnitude

Suggests a power-of-ten estimate, focusing on scale.

general idea

Indicates a broad understanding rather than a precise number.

preliminary calculation

Highlights that the calculation is initial and may be refined later.

working figure

Implies a number used for planning or initial calculations.

tentative number

Indicates the number is subject to change.

high-level estimate

Implies a less detailed and possibly less accurate estimate.

FAQs

How can I use "ballpark figure" in a sentence?

You can use "ballpark figure" to introduce an approximate estimate, as in "Can you give me a ballpark figure for the project's cost?"

What can I say instead of "ballpark figure"?

You can use alternatives like "rough estimate", "guesstimate", or "educated guess" depending on the context.

Is "ballpark figure" formal or informal language?

"Ballpark figure" is generally considered informal but acceptable in many professional settings where a precise number isn't necessary.

When is it inappropriate to use "ballpark figure"?

Avoid using "ballpark figure" in situations requiring exact values, such as financial reports or scientific data where precision is crucial.