on an average of

USAGE SUMMARY

"on an average of" is a valid expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey the idea that something is generally true across a given range or period of time. For example: "On an average of two days a week, I find that I have enough time to take a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In California, a given child was being read to on an average of less than one of those 40 occasions.

The New York Times

Dealers unfairly tacked on an average of about a quarter of 1%  to their interest rates, the government said.

Los Angeles Times

Labor costs were based on an average of 2.5 hours spent by one laboratory technician per test run.

BioMed Research International

If one letter has multiple U.S. stock portfolios, we based the performance number on an average of them.

Forbes

He is now on an average of three per week.

The Guardian

In 2005, lenders filed foreclosures on an average of 14 properties a day across the city.

The New York Times

It would have to be based on an average of three to four years.

The New Yorker

Sesheke, in the southwest, has frost on an average of 10 days per year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He says most aerospace engineers work on an average of two-and-a-half planes during their whole careers.

The Guardian

During the peak of Maricopa's housing frenzy, Weiss was closing on an average of 17 houses a month.

The New York Times

Scientists said last month was the warmest October on record, based on an average of surface temperatures around the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a formal context, consider using shorter alternatives like "on average" or "typically" for conciseness. While "on an average of" is grammatically sound, these options can enhance readability.

Common error

Avoid using "on an average of" when you've already established that you're discussing averages. For example, instead of saying "The average score was on an average of 85," simply state "The average score was 85."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on an average of" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies that a particular quantity, frequency, or degree is typical or representative, as supported by Ludwig's examples across different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

58%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on an average of" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating a typical or representative quantity. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usage across diverse contexts, including news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While shorter alternatives like "on average" or "typically" exist and may enhance conciseness in formal writing, "on an average of" remains a versatile and acceptable choice for conveying statistical information in an accessible manner. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on average

Removes the article "an" and preposition "of" for a slightly shorter but semantically equivalent phrase.

typically

This single-word adverb directly replaces the entire phrase with a shorter, more concise option.

usually

Similar to "typically", "usually" simplifies the phrase, indicating what commonly happens.

approximately

Replaces the phrase with a single adverb indicating an estimated quantity.

roughly

Similar to "approximately", "roughly" suggests an inexact but close estimate.

averaging about

Changes the structure to a participial phrase, emphasizing the calculation process.

ordinarily

Signifies what happens in normal circumstances, akin to an average expectation.

as a rule

This phrase indicates a common occurrence or pattern, similar to an average.

in general

Shifts the focus from a numerical average to a broader generalization.

more often than not

Expresses that something happens frequently, suggesting a higher-than-average incidence.

FAQs

What does "on an average of" mean?

The phrase "on an average of" indicates a typical or usual quantity, rate, or degree, calculated by dividing the sum of the values by the number of values.

Is it correct to say "on an average of"?

Yes, "on an average of" is grammatically correct and widely used, but shorter alternatives like "on average" or "typically" might be more concise in certain contexts.

When should I use "on an average of"?

Use "on an average of" when you want to specify that a value is representative of a typical or usual amount across a set of data or observations. For example, "Patients relied on analgesics "on an average of" 8.84 days per month."

What are some alternatives to "on an average of"?

Some alternatives include "typically", "usually", "approximately", or simply "on average". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.