a rough calculation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rough calculation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that the calculation is not precise and is an estimate. Example: "Based on the data we have, a rough calculation suggests that we will need about 200 units to meet demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I made a rough calculation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is a bit of a rough calculation.

The Economist

Let's work through a rough calculation of the number of Sun-like stars in the Universe.

Cornell University

At a rough calculation the total payout would be several millions at least.

The Guardian

"We can do a rough calculation of the likely costs," Mr. Spratt said in an interview.

The New York Times

We had a rough calculation it was going to cost us millions of dollars".

The New York Times - Arts

The 2011 census recorded 140 million rooms in the UK: a rough calculation says 85 million of those are bedrooms.

The Guardian - Opinion

They made a rough calculation that 700 acres per tourist would maintain privacy for both animals and humans.

The Guardian - Travel

On a rough calculation for The Economist by KPMG, getting out of London would be lucrative (see chart 3).

The Economist

A rough calculation of purchasing power parity suggests the correct figure for Chinese defense spending could be double official estimates.

Independent

It also provides a rough calculation of water cost for PURO and conventional BWRO with emphasizing on the energy costs.

Desalination

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rough calculation" when you need to provide an approximate value or figure, but don't require absolute precision. It's suitable for situations where a general idea is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a rough calculation" as a definitive or exact value. Always ensure the context makes it clear that the figure is an approximation, not a precise measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough calculation" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a quantitative assessment that is not precise, providing an estimated value. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rough calculation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate an approximate or estimated calculation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using it, ensure you clarify that the figure is an approximation and not a precise measurement. Alternatives include "a rough estimate" or "an approximate calculation". Always aim for clarity, ensuring that the reader understands the estimated nature of the calculation. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by scientific and academic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rough estimate

Very similar in meaning, but replaces 'calculation' with 'estimate'.

an approximate calculation

Emphasizes that the calculation is not exact and provides an estimated value.

a preliminary estimate

Suggests an initial estimate that may be refined later with more data.

a ballpark estimate

Suggests a very general estimate, similar to estimating within a 'ballpark' range.

a back-of-the-envelope calculation

Implies a quick, informal calculation done with readily available information.

a quick calculation

Stresses the speed and simplicity of the calculation.

a crude approximation

Indicates that the calculation is very basic and may not be very accurate.

a guesstimate

Combines 'guess' and 'estimate', emphasizing the informal and approximate nature.

an educated guess

Highlights the use of knowledge and experience to make an informed estimate.

an initial assessment

Focuses on the evaluative aspect and that the evaluation is in its first stage.

FAQs

How can I use "a rough calculation" in a sentence?

You can use "a rough calculation" to introduce an approximate estimate, as in "Based on our initial data, "a rough calculation" suggests we'll need at least 200 units."

What can I say instead of "a rough calculation"?

You can use alternatives like "a rough estimate", "an approximate calculation", or "a ballpark estimate" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a rough calculation" in formal writing?

Yes, "a rough calculation" can be used in formal writing when the intention is to provide an estimated figure rather than a precise value. Just ensure the context clearly indicates the approximation.

What's the difference between "a rough calculation" and "an exact calculation"?

"A rough calculation" provides an estimate, while an exact calculation aims for complete precision. Use "a rough calculation" when precision is not critical or when only limited data is available.