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Approximate quantity APPROXIMATE STATISTICS

Statistics can be made more general by modifying them with
words such as “approximately,” “about,” “just,” “well,” or “almost.”
If specific figures are known, it can be useful to give them. See also:
However, more general terms may be needed if figures are Singular and plural nouns 69
not known, or to avoid repetition. Numbers 74 “As... as” comparisons 96

Indicate that the quantity is not exact.
APPROXIMATE QUANTITIES
There are certain quantifying phrases used in English when
exact figures are not known, or not necessary to give.
Indicates that the difference is small.

Indicates that the difference is large.

Indicates that the number is slightly less.
“Some” is very unspecific. The only numbers it could
not mean in this example are none, one, or 15.

TIP SURPRISING NUMBERS
“Minority” and Certain expressions are used to show that
FURTHER EXAMPLES “majority” are often a particular number or quantity is surprising. This indicates that €100 is a
qualified, for example surprisingly large amount of money.
“small minority” or
A minority is less than half, but “vast majority.”
often refers to much less than half.

This indicates that $5 is a surprisingly
small amount of money.

“Most” and “majority”
refer to more than half.
This indicates that 25 is a surprisingly
large number of events.

These unspecific references could
mean a majority or minority of cases. This indicates that 2 is a
surprisingly small number of days.

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