to approximate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to approximate' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is near to a number or an amount, but not exact. For example: "The size of the house was estimated to approximate 4,000 square feet".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It worked nicely to approximate the texture.

The New York Times

Would that begin to approximate justice?

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm doing everything I can to approximate his life".

The New York Times - Arts

Nor did there seem to be any particular attempt to approximate styles or mediums.

The New York Times - Arts

His face was covered with a mask, moulded to approximate a human face.

The Guardian - Film

(The furnishings, meant to approximate what was originally in the house, were borrowed for the shoot).

The New York Times - Magazine

For colors, Ms. Hannah said, try to approximate the colors in the room.

The New York Times

Accusations and counterpunches aside, there are ways to approximate Hemingway's kills.

The New York Times - Books

The percentages were designed to approximate the real breakdown of hunger in the world.

The New York Times

Might have to lose a little muscle bulk though, to approximate Huth's beanpole physique.

The Guardian - Film

Compared to approximate solutions Eqs.

Petroleum Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to approximate", clarify the level of precision. For example, specify if the approximation is a rough estimate or a close calculation.

Common error

Avoid using "to approximate" when you have precise data. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty or estimation, so it's inappropriate when accuracy is known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to approximate" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase, often indicating an action aimed at achieving a close, but not necessarily exact, resemblance or calculation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to approximate" is a versatile infinitive verb phrase used to indicate a near resemblance or estimation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts, conveying an action of closely resembling but not exactly matching something. When using "to approximate", it is best to be clear about the level of precision needed. While there are several related phrases, such as "to estimate roughly" or "to come close to", "to approximate" offers a unique blend of formality and scientific accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to come close to

Highlights the act of nearly reaching a specific value or state.

to estimate roughly

Focuses on the estimation aspect while emphasizing a lack of precision.

to near

A more concise and formal way of saying to approach something closely.

to closely resemble

Focuses on similarity, suggesting an imitation or likeness that is not perfect.

to give a ballpark figure

Emphasizes providing a general, rather than exact, numerical estimation.

to represent

Highlights how something could be used to be indicate or act in place of another thing, not perfectly.

to make an educated guess

Suggests using available information to arrive at an approximate value.

to be in the neighborhood of

Suggests being close to a particular number or amount.

to get in the vicinity of

Emphasizes reaching a general area or range around a specific value.

to get a handle on

Suggests a preliminary grasp or estimate of something, usually complex.

FAQs

How can I use "to approximate" in a sentence?

You can use "to approximate" to indicate that something is close to a particular value or quality, but not exactly the same. For example, "The model was designed "to approximate" real-world conditions."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to approximate"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to estimate roughly", "to come close to", or "to give a ballpark figure".

Is it always necessary to specify the degree of approximation when using "to approximate"?

While not always required, specifying the degree of approximation can enhance clarity, particularly in technical or scientific contexts. For example, "The calculation "to approximate" the result within 5%."

What's the difference between "to approximate" and "to estimate"?

"To estimate" generally refers to forming an approximate judgment or calculation, while ""to approximate"" suggests something closely resembles but is not identical to the real amount or original object.