Roughly equivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Roughly equivalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing two or more things that are similar in value, meaning, or function but not exactly the same. Example: "The two products are roughly equivalent in terms of performance, though one is slightly more expensive than the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All variants are roughly equivalent.

Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures

[and] possessed roughly equivalent bargaining power". Post, at 6.

Harvard University

The trimesters are roughly equivalent to specific developmental stages.

Harvard University

A euro is roughly equivalent to a dollar.

The New York Times - Food

Being roughly equivalent, though, does not mean being identical.

The New York Times

The three Californias would have roughly equivalent populations and wealth.

The New York Times

The term is roughly equivalent to the term sandstone (q.v.).

Britannica

Oblasts and krays are roughly equivalent to provinces.

The Washington Post

The rent and maintenance expenses are roughly equivalent, he said.

The New York Times

My wife's income, roughly equivalent to my own, remained unchanged.

The New York Times

The rise is roughly equivalent to the UK's average salary.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "roughly equivalent", ensure the context clarifies the degree of approximation. Provide specific data or metrics when possible to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly equivalent" when the items being compared have significant differences. Be precise about the margin of error to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly equivalent" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which two or more things are alike. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a similarity in value, meaning, or function without being precisely the same. Examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "roughly equivalent" is a commonly used adjectival modifier that indicates an approximate similarity between two or more items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While precise equality is not implied, "roughly equivalent" suggests that the items are comparable in value, function, or amount. For alternative phrasing, one might consider "approximately equal" or "more or less the same", depending on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, clarity and context are important to maintain accuracy, and it is best to avoid overstating equivalence. Its frequent use across diverse sources makes it a versatile and reliable choice for expressing approximate similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Approximately equal

Indicates a near, but not exact, equality.

Substantially similar

Indicates similarity in key aspects or features.

Comparable

Suggests a level of similarity suitable for comparison.

Broadly similar

Emphasizes a general similarity without focusing on exactness.

More or less the same

Suggests a general similarity with minor differences.

Nearly alike

Implies a close resemblance but not perfect match.

Of a similar order of magnitude

Indicates that values are close in scale or size.

Almost identical

Suggests a very high degree of similarity, approaching identity.

Close to the same

A more casual way of expressing approximate equality.

In the same ballpark

Informal expression indicating a similar range or value.

FAQs

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

Use "roughly equivalent" to indicate that two or more things are similar in value, amount, or function but not exactly the same. For example, "The two models are "roughly equivalent" in performance."

What phrases can I use instead of "roughly equivalent"?

Alternatives include "approximately equal", "more or less the same", or "comparable" depending on the context and the degree of similarity you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "roughly equivalent" or "exactly equivalent"?

"Exactly equivalent" implies a precise match, while ""roughly equivalent"" suggests an approximation. Use "exactly" only when there's no discernible difference.

What's the difference between "roughly equivalent" and "similar"?

"Similar" indicates a general resemblance, whereas ""roughly equivalent"" suggests a closer degree of similarity, implying that the items are close in value or function but not identical.