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SuperESL Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Approximately
Hi,
Can the word 'approximately" mean "almost accurately," as in:
"I can recite the poem approximately." ?
It seems that the word is used mostly to mean "nearly," "around," "about:"etc:
Thus "I can recite approximately 80 poems" is understood to mean "I can recite around 80 poems" and not "I can recite 80 poems more or less accurately." But I was wondering if this second meaning is also valid, if less common.
If not, what word would you propose?
Thank you.
Can the word 'approximately" mean "almost accurately," as in:
"I can recite the poem approximately." ?
It seems that the word is used mostly to mean "nearly," "around," "about:"etc:
Thus "I can recite approximately 80 poems" is understood to mean "I can recite around 80 poems" and not "I can recite 80 poems more or less accurately." But I was wondering if this second meaning is also valid, if less common.
If not, what word would you propose?
Thank you.
Top answer
SuperESL Can the word 'approximately" mean "almost accurately," ... No. I don't see that as a valid possibility.
- SuperESL Can the word 'approximately" mean "almost accurately," ...
- No.
- I don't see that as a valid possibility.
- You can't "perform an action approximately".
- I can recite the poem [fairly accurately / passably (well)].
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2 Answers
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SuperESLCan the word 'approximately" mean "almost accurately," ...No. I don't see that as a valid possibility. You can't "perform an action approximately".
I can recite the poem [fairly accurately / passably (well)].
I can recite most of the poem without mistakes.
I can recite the poem without too many failures of memory.
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