it approximates that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it approximates that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when trying to express an estimation or approximation of a value or situation, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "The total cost of the project approximates that of last year's budget, which was significantly lower."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prickett punched in some numbers, adjusting the angle so it approximated that of the roof on an A-frame chalet.

The New York Times - Sports

By the final time point, the median percentage of PgR-positive cells in samples from the All Mutations group had increased such that it approximated to that of the population-risk group.

British Journal of Cancer

We feel that work at a symbolic level will proceed most effectively if it is understood that it approximates a system that is underlyingly much more parallel and distributed, since at that point insights from work at the connectionist level will flow even more freely into efforts to capture aspects of cognition at the symbolic level.

Stanford University

Inglis: Yes, it's a way of approximating that cost.

The Guardian

It is clear that it reasonably approximates that of the non-discretized case.

Plosone

Although this relationship is that of pure water, it closely approximates that of fresh water.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yield matrix (H_{k}) such that it approximates to the Hessian of the Lagrangian associated with ((mathrm{P}_{rho_{k}})) and satisfies request (11).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The consideration of non-monotone arguments of other than pure mathematical interest can be justified by the fact that it approximates (in a more accurate way) the natural phenomena described by an equation of type (E) or ((mathrm{E}^{prime})).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The first is the bootstrap percentile test, where the resampled distribution of fitted parameters is shifted left by β ˆ so that it approximates to the distribution of the fitted parameter values under H0.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

This blood level was chosen because it approximates the BAC that a human fetus would be exposed to during a moderately heavy maternal binge drinking episode.

Acta neuropathologica communications

Eye-Fi's technology differs from Geotate's in that it approximates a camera's location from the local Wi-Fi routers information that's accessed via Skyhook Wireless's extensive database of Wi-Fi hot spots covering 70percentt of the United States.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it approximates that" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more precise alternatives like "it estimates that" or "it is approximately that" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Don't let the phrasing "it approximates that" become a crutch. While understandable, it lacks precision. Instead, consider what aspect you are approximating (e.g., a value, a condition, a result) and rephrase to be more direct: "it estimates...", "it resembles...", or "it is similar to..." are often better choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it approximates that" functions as a declarative statement expressing an estimation or resemblance. However, according to Ludwig, it's not grammatically correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it approximates that" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. As Ludwig confirms, it is awkward and unclear, despite conveying a sense of estimation or similarity. More precise and formal alternatives, such as "it estimates that" or "it is approximately that", are recommended for improved clarity and professionalism. Due to its grammatical issues and lack of usage examples, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it estimates that

Replaces "approximates" with "estimates" to convey a numerical or statistical evaluation.

it approximates to that

A less common variation with similar meaning.

it is approximately that

Adds a degree of precision with the word "approximately", focusing on numerical or quantitative estimations.

it roughly equates to that

Implies a less precise comparison, where two things are similar in magnitude or value.

it is akin to that

Suggests a similarity or analogy, often used for abstract or qualitative comparisons.

it resembles that

Highlights visual or superficial similarities between two things.

it is in the neighborhood of that

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that something is close to a certain value or condition.

it mimics that

Implies a deliberate imitation or mirroring of something else.

it emulates that

Suggests an attempt to match or surpass the quality or performance of something.

it mirrors that

Implies a direct reflection or correspondence between two things.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "it approximates that"?

While understandable, the phrase "it approximates that" is not considered standard English. It's better to use more precise alternatives such as "it estimates that" or "it is approximately that".

How can I rephrase "it approximates that" to sound more professional?

For professional contexts, replace "it approximates that" with more formal alternatives like "it estimates that", "it is roughly equivalent to", or "it is similar to".

When is it acceptable to use "it approximates that"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "it approximates that" is generally considered awkward. It's best to avoid it in formal writing. You might use it in very informal conversation, but even then, more precise alternatives are preferable.

What are some single-word alternatives for "approximates" in the context of "it approximates that"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "estimates", "resembles", "mirrors", or "equates" to replace "approximates" for greater clarity. For instance, "it estimates that" or "it resembles that".