approximate / -ly

Approximately is a more formal way of saying ‘about’ or 'more or less'. An approximate number is not an exact one. Of course, in academic writing, you'll normally need to give exact figures, but sometimes, if it's background information, used for comparison, then it will make sense to use 'approximately' and give a more general figure.

We have approximately 25 academic staff in the department.

more example sentences        questions for personal practice        unit 6        Exercise 8.1        Exercise 8.6

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