what approximate time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what approximate time" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when inquiring about an estimated time for an event or action. Example: "What approximate time will the meeting start?" Alternative expressions include "what estimated time" and "what rough time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

c) Prospective comparison of monthly incidence by province with virus surveillance data to see whether virus introduction/shift is followed by outbreaks (determine positive predictive value of such events) and with what approximate time lag.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

At the same time, thousands of residents fret over air quality, maneuver past exposed utility lines, and otherwise live in what approximates this country's war zone.

The New York Times

That is how villagers could calculate the approximate time of death of their loved ones.

The New York Times

This is meant to commemorate the approximate time that the artistic spirit in each of these women began to develop.

The New York Times

She does know he was in the military and the approximate time of his enlistment.

Huffington Post

Approximate Time Saved: 5 to 15 Seconds.

WikiHow

Approximate Time Saved: 5 to 10 minutes.

WikiHow

Approximate Time Saved: 30 seconds to several minutes.

WikiHow

The approximate time(s) you saw the activity occurring.

WikiHow

Approximate Time Saved: 45 seconds to 2 minutes.

WikiHow

Set an approximate time for the guests to arrive.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In interrogative contexts, ensure the noun following 'approximate' is relevant to the measurement you seek, such as 'what approximate time lag' or 'what approximate time limit'.

Common error

Avoid using the adjective 'approximate' when you should be modifying a verb. For example, say 'approximately what time did it happen' if you are using the word as an adverb, but use "what approximate time" when modifying the noun 'time' directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what approximate time" functions as an interrogative or relative noun phrase. The word 'what' acts as a determiner, while 'approximate' serves as an attributive adjective providing a hedge for the noun 'time'. In Ludwig, this is often seen introducing a subordinate clause that specifies an uncertain temporal variable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "what approximate time" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase for discussing estimations within a variety of professional and informal settings. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is particularly prevalent in Science and News & Media, where establishing a 'time lag' or 'waiting time' is necessary but precise data might be unavailable. While simple alternatives like "around what time" work well in conversation, this phrase remains the standard for structured reporting and technical inquiries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately what time

uses the adverbial form for a slightly more formal interrogative structure

around what time

more conversational and idiomatic for daily speech

roughly what time

emphasizes that the estimate is loose or informal

what is the approximate time

adds a linking verb to create a complete independent clause

at about what time

includes a preposition to specify a point in a schedule

estimated time

shifts the focus to a formal projection or calculation

around when

substitutes the noun phrase with a simpler relative adverb

what sort of time

implies a range or a general period rather than a specific hour

what kind of time frame

broadens the scope from a single moment to a duration

at what rough time

replaces the formal adjective with a more colloquial synonym

FAQs

What can I say instead of "what approximate time"?

You can use alternatives like "around what time", "roughly what time", or "approximately what time" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "what approximate time" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a grammatically sound noun phrase where 'approximate' acts as an adjective modifying 'time'. Ludwig AI shows its frequent use in scientific contexts like BMC Public Health to describe variables.

How do I use "what approximate time" in a sentence?

It is often used in research questions or descriptive reporting, such as "What approximate time lag exists between the two events?" or "The study looked at "what approximate time period" was required for recovery".

Which is better, "what approximate time" or "what time approximately"?

Both are correct, but "what approximate time" is more common as a noun phrase within a larger sentence, whereas "what time approximately" is often used as a standalone question in spoken English.