perhaps around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perhaps around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an approximate time, location, or quantity, suggesting uncertainty or estimation. Example: "The meeting will take place perhaps around 3 PM, but I will confirm the exact time later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Their numbers were reduced to perhaps around 30,000.

The New York Times - Health

There's a stellar example of being able to go beyond, or perhaps around, the usual channels of complaint in Twittamentary.

The Guardian

"The government identifies 2,500 'commonly used' characters," he said, adding that a scholar would need to recognize more, perhaps around 5,000.

The New York Times

Patients with known diabetes have typically constituted around 15 to 20% of patients enrolled in trials of intensive versus conventional glucose control in the ICU [ 3, 4], and perhaps around 19% of patients admitted to ICUs overall [ 5].

Critical Care

He may have experienced some sort of personal crisis, perhaps around a relationship.

The New York Times - Arts

Let's hope the British Museum displays them again soon, perhaps around Valentine's Day?

The Economist

Melvinia was a teenager, perhaps around 15, when she gave birth to her biracial son.

The New York Times

But I can be a bit more adventurous — perhaps around the holidays.

The New York Times

For Clark to end his frustration, he will have to shoot a solid round, perhaps around 66.

The New York Times - Sports

Around 26 families – perhaps around 50 people – were evacuated from the seafront at Dawlish on Tuesday night.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But they are also digging downwards, encouraged by the increasing sophistication of tunnel-boring machines.In 2014 record lengths of tunnel will be bored perhaps around 1,000km (620 miles) in all.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perhaps around" when you want to convey an estimate that includes a degree of uncertainty. It is suitable in contexts where exactness is not critical.

Common error

While "perhaps around" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific contexts where more precise language is expected. Opt for more definite estimations or acknowledge the margin of error directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perhaps around" functions as an adverbial modifier, providing an estimate or approximation. It adds a degree of uncertainty or possibility to a statement, indicating that the quantity, time, or location mentioned is not exact but rather a close estimate. Ludwig provides many examples across diverse topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

34%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perhaps around" serves as a common and versatile adverbial modifier used to indicate approximation with a hint of uncertainty. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread use across various domains, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While grammatically sound, careful consideration should be given to the context, avoiding overuse in situations demanding precise language. Alternatives like "approximately" or "roughly" offer concise substitutions, while "perhaps close to" or "maybe close to" might emphasize the nearness to a point and uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about

This alternative is a simple and direct way to indicate approximation, lacking the added emphasis on possibility.

approximately

This alternative is a single word that directly expresses approximation without the added nuance of possibility.

roughly

This alternative, like "approximately", is a single-word adverb denoting an estimation.

in the neighborhood of

This alternative is more descriptive and less formal, suitable for conveying a rough estimate.

more or less

This alternative suggests a general agreement with a slight tolerance for inaccuracy.

give or take

This alternative emphasizes the uncertainty and potential for minor deviations from an estimated value.

in the vicinity of

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes a spatial or numerical proximity.

something like

This alternative is more informal and conversational, suggesting an illustrative comparison.

maybe close to

This alternative emphasizes uncertainty in proximity to a point.

potentially close to

This alternative specifically highlights possibility and nearness to a certain point.

FAQs

How can I use "perhaps around" in a sentence?

You can use "perhaps around" to express an approximation, as in, "The cost will be perhaps around $500", or "The meeting will start perhaps around 2 PM".

What phrases are similar to "perhaps around"?

Similar phrases include "approximately", "roughly", or "about", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to use "perhaps around" or just "around"?

Using "perhaps around" emphasizes the uncertainty of the approximation, while using just "around" implies a general estimate without explicitly stating the possibility of variance. Choose the phrase that best reflects your intended meaning.

Can I use "maybe around" instead of "perhaps around"?

Yes, "maybe around" is a suitable alternative to "perhaps around", particularly in more informal contexts. "Perhaps" is slightly more formal than "maybe", but they both convey a similar meaning of possibility or uncertainty.