More roughly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "More roughly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate a less precise or more approximate description or estimation of something. Example: "More roughly, the project will take about three months to complete, depending on various factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Americans simply eat more roughly than the Japanese do.

The New Yorker

"And I honestly think she handled my bananas more roughly than they usually do".

The New York Times

But as it happens, Henry Higginson has been more roughly treated by American cultural historians.

The New York Times - Arts

Those on the low-glycemic diet burned 150 calories more, roughly equivalent to an hour of light exercise.

The New York Times

The blocks at its southern edge, along the Gowanus Expressway, are more roughly hewed, with three-family apartment houses originally built for workers in nearby factories.

The New York Times

So pervasive is this irreverent subculture that the Chinese have a name for it: egao, meaning "evil works" or, more roughly, "mischievous mockery".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

In the kangaroo ward, rates were more variable, roughly around 6.2% with 2 peaks in June (16.2%) and November (14.3%).

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

On average, doctors earn 70percentt more; lawyers, roughly 50percentt more; and engineers, about 30percentt more, it said.

The New York Times

However, most seem to agree that few adults (about 2 to 5 percent) and slightly more children (roughly 3 to 8 percent) are affected.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But she is no fan of General Electric, which she thinks should be fined a billion dollars or more -- roughly the cost of dredging -- as punishment for past environmental sins.

The New York Times

Perhaps even more startling: "Roughly 10% of American adults, or 22.5 million, are former Catholics.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more roughly" when you want to indicate a comparison showing a lesser degree of precision or detail. For example, "The estimate was calculated precisely, but we can also assess it "more roughly" using simpler methods."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on phrases like "more roughly" without providing some level of concrete detail or context. While it indicates approximation, ensure the reader still gains a meaningful understanding, use more precise alternatives like "approximately" or "roughly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more roughly" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically a comparative adverb. It modifies a verb or adjective to indicate a comparison in terms of precision or approximation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable, indicating a level of acceptability in standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more roughly" is a grammatically correct and usable comparative adverbial phrase that indicates a less precise estimation or description. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered a correct and acceptable expression. While not exceedingly common, it finds use across diverse contexts, most frequently in News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, it's wise to balance its vagueness with sufficient context to ensure clarity. Alternative expressions such as "approximately" or "roughly" can be considered for a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Roughly

A direct synonym, indicating a lack of exactness but still providing a general idea.

More or less

Indicates a degree of approximation, often implying that the statement is not entirely exact but close enough for practical purposes.

Approximately

Emphasizes a close estimation without strict precision.

More or less accurately

Highlights that the accuracy is not absolute but sufficient in some context.

In approximation

Formal way to introduce an estimate that is not exact.

Give or take

Suggests a small margin of error or variation around a stated value.

In the ballpark

Idiomatic expression meaning within a reasonable range or close to the actual figure or result.

To a degree

Indicates that something is true or accurate to some extent, though not entirely.

Thereabouts

Implies nearness to a specific location, time, or quantity, without being precise.

Something along those lines

Suggests similarity to something previously mentioned, but without specific details.

FAQs

How can I use "more roughly" in a sentence?

Use "more roughly" to indicate a less precise estimation or description compared to another. For example, "We can calculate the distance precisely, or estimate it "more roughly" based on visual cues."

What are some alternatives to "more roughly"?

Alternatives include "approximately", "roughly", or "more or less", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "more roughly"?

While grammatically correct, using "more roughly" may not be suitable for highly formal or scientific contexts where precision is paramount. In those cases, prefer "approximately".

What's the difference between "more roughly" and "more precisely"?

"More roughly" indicates a less exact method, while "more precisely" indicates a higher degree of accuracy and detail. The choice depends on the level of accuracy needed in the context.