on average about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on average about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate an approximate quantity or amount. For example: "On average about 10 people attend the meeting each week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The interview took on average about half an hour.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The complete electronic documentation took on average about eleven minutes (mean: 11 ± 2 min STD).

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

In London those who declined to participate were on average about one year older than participants.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

On average, about thirty of them die.

The New Yorker

(This takes, on average, about seven minutes).

The New York Times - Travel

By 1999, they lasted, on average, about sixteen years.

The New Yorker

Very great earthquakes occur on average about once per year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On average, about 33 tornadoes are reported annually there.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Participants lost, on average, about thirteen and a half pounds.

The New Yorker

Blacks earn on average about half what whites do.

The New York Times

They are, on average, about thirty-five years old.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on average about" to provide a general estimation rather than a precise figure. This is especially useful when exact numbers are not crucial or are variable.

Common error

Avoid using "on average about" when precise data is available and necessary. If the exact number is known and relevant, using the approximation can undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on average about" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying that a value is an approximation derived from an average. Ludwig examples show its use in scientific, news, and general contexts to describe typical quantities or durations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on average about" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express an approximate average value. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's commonly found in scientific and news contexts to provide estimations. While slightly redundant, it's generally acceptable and widely understood. Using it effectively involves understanding when an approximation is sufficient and avoiding its use when precise data is necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately on average

Reorders the words while maintaining a similar meaning; emphasizes the approximate nature.

on average, approximately

Adds a comma for slight change in rhythm and emphasis on "approximately".

roughly on average

Substitutes "about" with "roughly", providing a slightly less precise feel.

on average, give or take

Adds an idiomatic expression to emphasize the approximation and potential variation.

as an average approximation

Restructures the phrase to highlight the approximation aspect of the average.

around an average

Emphasizes that the value is near or close to the average, rather than exact.

averaged approximately

Uses a verb form to convey the idea of an average estimate.

in approximation, on average

Inverts the phrase structure to focus initially on the approximated value.

on average, in the vicinity of

Uses "in the vicinity of" to suggest an approximate range around the average.

the average is about

Reverses the structure to emphasize "the average" before indicating the approximated value.

FAQs

How can I use "on average about" in a sentence?

You can use "on average about" to provide an approximate value. For example, "On average about 30 people attend each meeting" indicates a typical attendance figure.

What phrases are similar to "on average about"?

Similar phrases include "approximately on average", "roughly on average", and "on average approximately". They all convey an estimated average quantity.

Is it redundant to say "on average about"?

While "on average" and "about" both suggest approximation, using them together isn't strictly incorrect. It can, however, be perceived as slightly redundant. Consider using just "on average" or "about" for conciseness, depending on the desired emphasis.

In what contexts is "on average about" most appropriate?

"On average about" is appropriate in contexts where a precise number is not necessary or available. This can include general discussions, estimations in reports, or casual conversations.