GV

Approximate Quantity

Words for inexact amounts: about, roughly, approximately, around

intermediate

When to Use Approximate Quantity

  • •Estimates: About 50 people attended.
  • •Rough figures: It costs roughly $100.
  • •Formal approximations: Approximately 30% of respondents agreed.
  • •Informal estimates: Around 20 minutes should be enough.
  • •Ranges: More or less the same; give or take a few.

How to Form Approximate Quantity

Affirmative (+)

About/Roughly/Approximately/Around + number/quantity

Negative (-)

Not quite/exactly + number

Question (?)

About how many people came?

💡 Approximately = most formal; about/around = neutral; roughly = slightly informal.

Examples of Approximate Quantity

✓The journey takes about two hours.

✗The journey takes about two hour.

Normal noun rules apply after approximate words.

✓Approximately 1,000 people were affected.

✗Approximate 1,000 people were affected.

Use adverb 'approximately', not adjective 'approximate'.

✓It happened around 3 o'clock.

✗It happened around at 3 o'clock.

Don't use 'at' after 'around' for time.

Common Mistakes with Approximate Quantity

💡 Practice Tips for Approximate Quantity

  • • Formality: approximately > about/around > roughly
  • • All mean 'not exactly' or 'more or less'
  • • Position: before the number/quantity
  • • Other expressions: more or less, give or take, in the region of
  • • Use when exact numbers aren't known or necessary
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.The price is   $200, depending on the supplier.
  2. 2.  50 people showed up — a smaller crowd than we expected.
  3. Question 3: The film starts blank 8 o'clock — let's leave at 7:30. (approximate time word, not 'at')
    3.The film starts 8 o'clock — let's leave at 7:30. (approximate time word, not 'at')
  4. Question 4: The journey takes about two blank . (countable noun, plural)
    4.The journey takes about two . (countable noun, plural)
  5. Question 5: blank how many guests are coming to the party? (informal question word for approximation)
    5. how many guests are coming to the party? (informal question word for approximation)
  6. Question 6: The repair will cost blank $150 — give or take a few dollars. (informal, neutral)
    6.The repair will cost $150 — give or take a few dollars. (informal, neutral)
  7. Question 7: blank 30% of respondents agreed with the proposal. (most formal approximation word)
    7. 30% of respondents agreed with the proposal. (most formal approximation word)
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