[Grammar] approximate versus approximately

[karenkirckof]

I am writing for clarification on these two words. I am a medical transcriptionist and several of us have been struggling with this for a long time.

An approximate 2.5 cm incision was made on the leg.
An approximately 2.5 cm incision was made on the leg.

Thanks.
Karen

 

[5jj]

Do you thik that the 2.5 cm incision was approximate, or that the incision was approximately 2.5 cm?

Never having seen an approximate incision of any length, I'd go for the latter.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I am writing for clarification on these two words. I am a medical transcriptionist and several of us have been struggling with this for a long time.

An approximate 2.5 cm incision was made on the leg.
An approximately 2.5 cm incision was made on the leg.

Thanks.
Karen

You don't want "approximate" there. As an adjective, it means "almost exact/correct". I would use "approximately" but would rephrase the sentence: "An incision, approximately 2.5 cm in length, was made on the leg". It would also be important to give a more precise location for the incision.

 

[karenkirckof]

Thanks for the advice. My vote was "approximately" but others thought "approximate."

 

[karenkirckof]

Thanks for the info. I agree with "approximately" as well. Rewording is probably the best advice.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks for the info. I agree with "approximately" as well. Rewording is probably the best advice.

Almost nobody wants an "approximate" incision. Most prefer a specific one. ;-)