this approximates to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this approximates to" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate phrase would be "this approximates" or "this is approximately." Example: "The total cost of the project approximates to $10,000."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This approximates to an improvement of peripheral visualisation in approximately 2 of the 4 quadrants examined for each case.

BMC Ophthalmology

This approximates to a land valuation of less than a cent per square meter.

Forbes

This approximates to a maximal voluntary Valsalva manoeuvre using such a device.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This approximates to a total of 51,342 per annum (47,692 adults) or 917 adults per week.

Critical Care

This approximates to 3 months of consecutive patient enrolment; our timeline was extended to ensure appropriate power for comparisons.

BMJ Open

This approximates to an annual reduction in the mean ATI consultation rate of 0.61 per child, per year, over 6 years' follow-up.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This approximated to a 66% decrease in exercise time.

BioMed Research International

With surgical teams normally led by one surgeon, this approximated to a suggested VISION 2020 target of four ophthalmologists per million population [ 2].

Human Resources for Health

The cut-off point of 3 years was selected because this approximated to the average disease duration of 5 years in our cohort.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

While for data with noise, this equation approximates to zero, that's left|{p}_j^i(x right|approx 0 (5).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The number of stem cells occupying this niche approximates to between five to ten cells [36].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the grammatically correct and more concise phrase "this approximates" or "this is approximately" to improve clarity and adherence to standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "this approximates to" when a simpler phrase like "this approximates" or "this is approximately" conveys the same meaning with better grammatical correctness. Overcomplicating can detract from clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this approximates to" attempts to function as a linking phrase indicating an estimation or near equivalence. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that the correct form is "this approximates".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "this approximates to" is used to convey an estimation or near equivalence, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the correct and preferred forms are "this approximates" or "this is approximately". Although examples can be found, primarily in scientific and news contexts, writers should favor the grammatically sound alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility. When aiming for precision, it's advisable to use the correct grammatical form in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is close to

Expresses nearness in value or amount, differing by focusing on proximity rather than a formal approximation.

this is roughly equal to

Indicates an approximate equivalence, using 'roughly' to emphasize the inexact nature of the comparison.

this is similar to

Highlights a resemblance or likeness, where the terms are not numerically close, but share qualities.

this is on the order of

Implies a magnitude comparison, suitable when the exact value is less important than the scale.

this is in the vicinity of

Suggests an inexact location or numerical value, emphasizing that the true value is nearby.

this is in the neighborhood of

Indicates an approximate range, differing by using a colloquial term for nearness.

this correlates with

Suggests a relationship or association, where changes in one thing tend to reflect changes in another.

this is comparable to

Highlights the similarities between two things, indicating that they are fit to be compared.

this mirrors

Implies a reflection or close resemblance, more often used for non-numerical qualities.

this is analogous to

Highlights a parallel or similarity in some respects, often used to explain something unfamiliar.

FAQs

Is "this approximates to" grammatically correct?

No, the grammatically correct alternatives are "this approximates" or "this is approximately". The inclusion of "to" is redundant and not standard English usage.

What's a better way to say "this approximates to"?

You can use phrases like "this approximates", "this is approximately", or "this is close to" depending on the context.

In what situations might I use "this approximates"?

Use "this approximates" when you want to indicate that a value or result is nearly, but not exactly, equal to another. It's suitable for scientific, technical, and general contexts where estimations are common.

How does "this approximates" differ from "this equals"?

This approximates indicates an estimation, while "this equals" signifies an exact equivalence. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the relationship you're describing.