it approximates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it approximates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is close to or nearly equal to a certain value, concept, or idea. Example: "The calculated result is not exact, but it approximates the expected outcome based on previous data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The genome of PNM is 42.7 kb and with its 62.3% it approximates the host G+C content.

Plosone

"It approximates a boat with its beams and ribs, but it would not actually float".

The New York Times - Arts

Yet, despite these obvious limitations, it approximates the in vivo situation thereby validating its clinical feasibility [ 41].

Critical Care

What we said: I loved its gnomic refusal of normal storytelling and the way it approximates the distance of Ballard's prose.

The Guardian - Film

However, its reconstruction time is extremely long because of repeated iteration when it approximates sparse signals.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This isn't exactly Marshall's perfect competition, but it approximates it.

Harvard Business Review

Hinduism is mentioned only when it is fundamentalist — when it approximates monotheistic literalism.

The New Yorker

Hinduism is mentioned only when it is fundamentalist when it approximates monotheistic literalism.

The New Yorker

It approximates the posteriori probability distribution by separable distributions based on Kullback Leibler divergence.

Journal of Computational Physics

"Ecce Cor Meum" does best when it approximates simple songfulness, whether in a vocal line or an oboe solo.

The New York Times - Arts

It approximates the solution in the stochastic space using Lagrange polynomial interpolation.

Journal of Computational Physics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it approximates", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being approximated and the degree of accuracy implied. Be specific if the approximation is rough or highly precise.

Common error

Avoid using "it approximates" when a more precise measurement or calculation is available. Using it when precision is possible can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it approximates" functions as a verb phrase indicating an estimation or resemblance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It connects a subject to a state of being similar to but not exactly the same as something else. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it approximates" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys an estimation or a close resemblance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is commonly found in science, news and media, and formal business contexts, indicating a near-equality rather than an exact one. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overstatements of accuracy when precise measurements are available. Alternatives like "it is similar to" or "it is close to" can be used to emphasize different aspects of the approximation. Utilizing this phrase effectively involves understanding its specific function in conveying estimations across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is similar to

Focuses on the resemblance rather than the estimation aspect.

it is close to

Emphasizes proximity in value or characteristic.

it nears

Highlights the act of approaching a certain value or state.

it roughly equals

Explicitly indicates an approximate equality.

it is in the vicinity of

Suggests being in the general area or range.

it estimates to be

Directly states that something is being estimated.

it tends toward

Implies a directional tendency toward a certain value or state.

it is akin to

Highlights a likeness or affinity.

it is comparable to

Stresses the ability to compare with something else.

it bears resemblance to

Focuses on visual or superficial similarities.

FAQs

How to use "it approximates" in a sentence?

Use "it approximates" to indicate something is nearly equal to or resembles something else. For example: "The model's prediction, while not perfect, "it approximates" the actual outcome."

What can I say instead of "it approximates"?

You can use alternatives like "it is similar to", "it is close to", or "it roughly equals" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "it approximates" in formal writing?

Yes, ""it approximates"" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express an estimation or similarity without claiming exactness. It's common in scientific and technical contexts.

What's the difference between "it approximates" and "it equals"?

"It approximates" suggests an estimation or near-equality, while "it equals" indicates an exact equivalence. Use "it equals" only when the values are precisely the same.