closely approximating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closely approximating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is very similar or nearly the same. For example, "The new restaurant is located in the same spot as the old one, closely approximating the previous restaurant's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is possible to reduce the time bias further by dividing the MAZs into approximately 300 Ka sub-zones [ 51], more closely approximating true palaeocommunities, but the sample size (and resulting statistical power) per sub-zone becomes drastically reduced in doing so.

BMC Ecology

The proposed approach is an extension of the simplicial-approximation approach proposed by Goyal and Ierapetritou, (Goyal and Ierapetritou, 2004a, 2004b), for solving deterministic MINLP problems and is based on the idea of closely approximating the feasible region defined by the set of constraints by an approximation of its convex hull.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Porter's statement at the preliminary hearing had already been given under circumstances closely approximating those that surround the typical trial.

Cornell University

Hughes made a sound closely approximating the nowadays seldom heard "Ugh!" and added, "To me, the art opening is in principle a fairly satanic ritual".

The New Yorker

A G1 corner can be uniquely specified as a single PH cubic segment, closely approximating a circular arc.

Computer Aided Geometric Design

Exclusively by next generation sequencing, we obtained the de novo assembled genome in 1,496 gap-free contigs, closely approximating the estimated genome size of 140 Mb.

Nature

ACCORDING to modern views the substance of the sun and stars is in a state closely approximating to that of a perfect gas.

Nature

For Porter's statement at the preliminary hearing had already been given under circumstances closely approximating those that surround the typical trial.

Cornell University

I argue that smooth relationships will often create less "rounding error" than bumpy relationships by more closely approximating our underlying moral norms.

University of California, Berkeley

Gyri and sulci are well marked in Old World monkeys and in the apes, the complexity of the pattern closely approximating the tortuous mazelike pattern seen in humans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Specifically, we argue that, when comparing multiple categories, actors tend to view larger categories as more closely approximating an underlying population than smaller ones.

Social Science Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "closely approximating", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being approximated and the degree of similarity. For instance, 'The model's predictions are closely approximating the actual results' provides a clear understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "closely approximating" when the similarity is superficial or vague. Using phrases like "'somewhat similar'" or "'remotely related'" may be more appropriate in such instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely approximating" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree to which one thing resembles or nears another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It often modifies verbs, indicating a high degree of similarity or near equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

18%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "closely approximating" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a high degree of similarity between two things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and employed across various contexts, particularly in scientific, academic, and news domains. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the subject and object of the approximation are well-defined and that the degree of similarity is accurately represented. While there are several alternatives, such as "'nearly resembling'" or "'closely mirroring'", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly resembling

Changes the adverb and verb while retaining the core meaning of similarity.

closely mirroring

Replaces 'approximating' with 'mirroring', emphasizing a high degree of similarity.

almost matching

Substitutes 'approximating' with 'matching', suggesting a slightly more precise correspondence.

bearing a strong resemblance to

Replaces the original phrase with a more descriptive and formal expression.

very similar to

Simplifies the phrase to a more basic and direct comparison.

highly analogous to

Uses 'analogous' to indicate a similarity based on a comparable relationship.

virtually identical to

Emphasizes the near indistinguishability between two things.

in close agreement with

Focuses on the aspect of agreement or conformity between two things.

approaching equivalence with

Highlights the idea of nearing a state of being equal or interchangeable.

roughly equivalent to

Indicates a similarity that is not exact but still close enough for practical purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "closely approximating" in a sentence?

The phrase "closely approximating" is used to describe something that is very similar or nearly the same as something else. For example, "The simulation results were closely approximating the experimental data."

What are some alternatives to "closely approximating"?

You can use alternatives such as "'nearly resembling'", "'closely mirroring'", or "'very similar to'" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "closely approximating" in formal writing?

Yes, "closely approximating" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, academic, and technical contexts where precise language is valued. However, assess your audience, as simpler phrases may be preferred in less technical contexts.

What's the difference between "closely approximating" and "roughly equivalent to"?

"Closely approximating" implies a high degree of similarity, whereas "roughly equivalent to" suggests a similarity that is not exact but still serves a similar purpose or function. The choice depends on how precise you need to be in describing the similarity.