Cool MateApproximately vs That's about that much
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Approximately
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
That's about that much
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ApproximatelyMost common: Approximately
| Approximately | That's about that much | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈprɒksɪmətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈprɑːksɪmətli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts əˈbaʊt ðæt mʌtʃ//🇺🇸 //ðæts əˈbaʊt ðæt mʌtʃ// |
| Meaning | About or close to a certain amount. | It refers to a specific amount or level. |
| Example | The journey took approximately seven hours. | I need that much money to buy the new phone. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | approximately equal to, approximately 50%, approximately three hours | that much money, that much time, that much effort |
| Antonyms | exactly, precisely | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'approximately' with a precise number (e.g., saying 'approximately 2000' instead of 'about 2000')., Confusing 'approximately' with 'exactly'., Omitting 'approximately' when it’s needed for clarity in estimates. | Confused with 'That's about that many' when talking about countable nouns., Used in overly formal contexts where a simpler expression would suffice. |
| Usage notes | Use 'approximately' when giving an estimate. It's appropriate in academic and professional contexts, but may sound overly formal in casual conversations. | Use this phrase to indicate a particular quantity or extent, usually in casual conversation. It may not be suitable for formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Approximately vs That's about that much
What's the difference between Approximately and That's about that much?
Approximately: About or close to a certain amount. That's about that much: It refers to a specific amount or level.
Which is more formal: Approximately and That's about that much?
Approximately is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Approximately and That's about that much?
Approximately is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Approximately: The journey took approximately seven hours. That's about that much: I need that much money to buy the new phone.
Can I use Approximately and That's about that much interchangeably?
Not always. Approximately and That's about that much are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.