make an approximation

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an approximation" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, one could say, "In order to arrive at a more accurate result, I will make an approximation of the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Well, however, I can make an approximation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He calls up a Cray through Internet and programs the machine to make an approximation of pi.

The New Yorker

The starting point is to make an approximation in a two-dimensional boundary integral equation formulation of the problem.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

I could make an approximation but... like most artists, when I'm making something I'm compelled to make it by the desire to see it.

The Guardian - Arts

Moreover, the presented method allows to make an approximation of the worst-case uncontrollable behaviour of the original Petri net without doing any reachability analysis.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Make an approximation, consider the second-order term in.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

So while you can keep a trust secret, it is much harder to keep your child or anyone who cares about your family from making an approximation of your net worth.

The New York Times

It makes an approximation of the probability density function of state vector with a series of chosen sampling points.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The structures that can pull off this extraordinary trick of the light are difficult to manufacture, and each attempt has made an approximation to the theoretical idea that results in reflections.

BBC

Because the simulation time would be very large if every point-to-point source-relay link had to be decoded separately, we made an approximation.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Through a series of iterations, the inverse solution makes an approximation of the channel density function ρ(x), where x represents distance along the length of the cilium.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex models or scenarios, use "make an approximation" to clearly indicate that your calculations involve simplification and are not exact representations of reality.

Common error

Avoid presenting approximations as definitive answers. Always acknowledge the limitations and potential sources of error when you "make an approximation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an approximation" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of creating a simplified or inexact calculation or estimate. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

25%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make an approximation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression across various domains, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to describe the act of creating a simplified estimate, especially when precise calculations are difficult or impossible. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, suggesting its importance in technical discussions and reporting. When using this phrase, ensure you acknowledge the limitations inherent in any approximation to maintain transparency and avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

form an estimate

Focuses on the process of creating a preliminary calculation.

develop an approximation

Emphasizes the gradual creation or refinement of an estimate.

arrive at an approximation

Highlights reaching a conclusion or calculation through approximation.

derive an estimate

Focuses on obtaining a value through a specific method or derivation.

rough estimate

Implies less precision and a more generalized calculation.

calculate approximately

Highlights the method of calculating something not exactly.

approximate calculation

Specifies the type of calculation as one that is not exact.

make a rough calculation

Suggests a quicker and less precise calculation method.

find an approximation

Implies discovering or locating a previously unknown approximation.

determine approximately

Focuses on the act of establishing a value with some degree of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "make an approximation" in a sentence?

You can use "make an approximation" when you need to simplify a complex problem or calculation. For example, "To solve this equation, we need to "make an approximation" of the initial values".

What's a good alternative to "make an approximation"?

Alternatives include "form an estimate", "develop an approximation", or "arrive at an approximation", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to "make an approximation" in scientific writing?

Yes, it's common in scientific writing to "make an approximation" when dealing with complex models or limited data, but it's important to state the assumptions and limitations of the approximation.

What is the difference between "make an approximation" and "calculate exactly"?

"Make an approximation" implies a simplification or estimation due to complexity or lack of precise data. "Calculate exactly" means finding a precise, accurate result without any estimation or simplification.