ballpark number

USAGE SUMMARY

"ballpark number" is a common expression in written English.
You can use it when you are giving an approximate amount or range of numbers. For example, "I don't know exactly how much it will cost, but it will probably be somewhere in the ballpark of $500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

And the distance is almost always a ballpark number because trails are so hard to accurately measure.

The Washington Post

"The 300,000 acres was just a starting point — a ballpark number to begin the actual mapping process," he said.

The New York Times

He conceded that "I don't even know what the ballpark number for a server is — for me, it would be like knowing what the price of a sword is".

The New York Times

This ballpark number is supported by another analysis based off a soybean input [16].

Chemistry Central Journal

300: The ballpark number of total staff members needed by teams participating this year.

Forbes

Facebook wouldn't disclose a ballpark number of apps impacted by the error.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

If these ballpark numbers are correct, the World Cup comes in at a much less shocking 230g CO230g

The Guardian

I know that you cannot discuss or directly quote your sources, but can you give a ballpark figure for the number of people you talked to for this article?

The New York Times

But to throw out some ballpark figure, an actual number of the weeks, months or years this woman we had grown to care about had left to live, meant shouldering the responsibility none of us were eager to be reminded of – that is, our potential role in hastening her death because of poor clinical decisions based on the wrong prognosis.

The New York Times

Users don't know which of Amazon's sites was impacted, who their email address could have been exposed to, or any ballpark figure of the number of victims.

TechCrunch

MinorLeagueNews.com has also named the park number two on its top ten minor league ballparks for 2004 and number seven for 2005.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ballpark number", ensure the audience understands that the value is an estimation and not a precise figure. It prevents misinterpretations and sets realistic expectations.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "ballpark number" as an exact figure, especially in contexts where accuracy is critical. Always clarify that it's an approximation to prevent misleading stakeholders or making flawed decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ballpark number" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating an approximate quantity. It modifies a noun (something that can be counted) to show it's not an exact count. Examples in Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from cost estimations to staff numbers.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ballpark number" is a commonly used term to indicate an approximation or estimate of a numerical value. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears frequently across varied sources, including news, science, and wiki articles. While it's suitable for many contexts, more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "approximate figure" or "rough estimate". Key to its appropriate use is understanding that it signifies a non-precise value, serving to give a general sense of scale rather than an exact measurement. Remember to provide context when you do use it, and to avoid using it in place of precise figures when accuracy matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ballpark figure

Replaces "number" with "figure", maintaining the idiomatic sense.

rough estimate

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the estimation.

approximate figure

Highlights the inexact nature of the numerical value.

guesstimate

Combines 'guess' and 'estimate', implying a rough calculation.

rough calculation

Focuses on the rudimentary nature of the computation.

tentative number

Implies that the number is not final or definitive.

order of magnitude

Indicates an estimation within a power of ten.

preliminary estimate

Suggests that the estimation is subject to revision.

working estimate

Indicates an estimate that is currently being used but may change.

general idea

Shifts from a numerical value to a conceptual understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "ballpark number" to indicate an approximate value or range. For example, "The cost of the project is a "ballpark number", around $1 million."

What's a synonym for "ballpark number"?

Synonyms for "ballpark number" include "rough estimate", "approximate figure", or "guesstimate".

Is it appropriate to use "ballpark number" in formal writing?

While "ballpark number" is widely understood, in formal writing, consider using alternatives like "approximate figure" or "rough estimate" for a more professional tone.

How accurate is a "ballpark number"?

A "ballpark number" is intentionally not precise; it's meant to give a general sense of scale or value. It provides a "general idea" rather than an exact measurement.