good approximation

USAGE SUMMARY

"good approximation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is close to being exact, but not quite. For example, "This estimate is a good approximation of what the final cost will be."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a pretty good approximation of the view," he said.

The New York Times

That is a good approximation of the "Laura" volume's total length.

The New York Times

Then Einstein's general relativity showed that Newton's law, while a good approximation, was wrong.

The New Yorker

Pretending to blow out a candle flame repeatedly a yard way gives a good approximation.

The New York Times - Science

It became a good approximation of what it used to be.

The New York Times - Arts

I can get a pretty good approximation of Mexican food near my office in Manhattan.

The New York Times - Travel

By charting the results, he produced a good approximation of the range of colors one could ever expect to see.

The New Yorker

For good approximation,, so (12).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

When you can't find old or young people, drunk people are a good approximation.

TechCrunch

Thus, this is a good approximation for astrophysical jets.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Our approach gives a good approximation to real data.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "good approximation", specify the context or criteria that make it a valid or useful estimation. For example, "This model is a "good approximation" for short-term predictions but less reliable for long-term forecasts."

Common error

Avoid presenting a "good approximation" as an exact value or definitive answer. Clearly indicate that it is an estimate and acknowledge potential limitations or sources of error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good approximation" functions as a noun phrase, where "good" modifies the noun "approximation". Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples, indicating its role in describing the quality of an estimate or model.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good approximation" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is close to being exact, but not quite. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including science, news, and formal writing. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the context and limitations of the approximation and avoid overstating its accuracy. Related phrases such as "reasonable estimate" or "close estimation" can be used depending on the specific nuance. Overall, "good approximation" is a useful term for conveying a level of accuracy that is acceptable but not perfect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate figure

Directly refers to a numerical estimation, focusing on the quantitative aspect of the approximation.

close estimation

Highlights proximity to the actual value, indicating a high degree of accuracy.

reasonable estimate

Focuses on the estimation aspect, implying the approximation is sensible and justified.

decent estimation

Suggests the approximation is adequate or satisfactory, though perhaps not perfect.

fair assessment

Emphasizes the judgment aspect, suggesting the approximation is unbiased and just.

sound valuation

Emphasizes a solid or reliable foundation for the approximation, suggesting trustworthiness.

serviceable model

Highlights that the approximation it's more about the usefulness to model, that is appropriate to be used.

plausible rendition

Implies that the approximation it's more about the realism.

rough calculation

Implies less precision, focusing on the initial or preliminary nature of the approximation.

qualified estimation

Emphasizes that the estimation its good until certain qualifications, or until certain point.

FAQs

How can I use "good approximation" in a sentence?

You can use "good approximation" to describe something that is close to the actual value or result, but not exact. For example, "The model provides a "good approximation" of the real-world scenario."

What's a more formal alternative to "good approximation"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases like "reasonable estimate", "close estimation", or "serviceable model" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "decent approximation" the same as "good approximation"?

"Decent approximation" and "good approximation" are similar, but "decent" might imply a slightly lower level of accuracy or satisfaction compared to "good".

When is it appropriate to use "good approximation"?

It's appropriate to use "good approximation" when you have an estimated value or result that is reasonably close to the true value, but you want to acknowledge that it is not perfectly accurate. It's commonly used in scientific, engineering, and financial contexts.