a rough indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rough indicator" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that provides a general or approximate measure or sign of a situation, rather than a precise one. Example: "The number of attendees at last year's event serves as a rough indicator of the interest in this year's conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The expected frequency of a GO category is We propose to use the ratio of observed to expected frequencies as a rough indicator of enrichment; a ratio above one indicates that the GO category is enriched in the sample with respect to its average expectation, while a ratio below one indicates a depleted GO category.

Bioinformatics

There are no exact figures on the number of executives who are changing gears toward teaching, but a rough indicator of the new interest comes from the National Center for Education Information.

The New York Times

Amfels also took on military projects whose details seemed to be known by every aspiring blue-collar worker in Cameron Park, and a rough indicator of its corporate health could be sighted from miles away.

The New Yorker

Using Super Bowl ads as a rough indicator of the high end of the market, he determined that in 2010 the price of an American's attention was six cents per minute.

The New Yorker

The point of exam results, rather than to be a rough indicator of a young person's academic development, has become to act as the means by which we judge teachers and schools.

Independent

The buzz over Burger King, however, is a rough indicator that for every French person who decries the Americanization of French culture there is another who embraces the country's obsession with Americana, whether it comes in the form of fast food or Hollywood film noir.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The findings, presented here on 16 July at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases, show that the number of hospitalizations--a rough indicator of health--is lower, rather than higher, among troops who have received at least one anthrax shot.

Science Magazine

Ranking individual genes by their respective contribution to the total PBS values--a rough indicator of phylogenetic utility--reveals that some genes, such as ND5, CR, ND4, CoxI and 16S, are better indicators of galliform evolution than others (Fig. 3A).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The agglomeration indicators presented in Table 5 only give a rough indication and should be interpreted with care.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

While the government hasn't disclosed exactly what kind of a bill that's racking up, we do have a few rough indicators.

Vice

However, if there is no locally calibrated SAPS II model available, Model B may be used, with caution, as a rough prognostic indicator.

Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rough indicator", clarify the limitations of the measurement or assessment to avoid misinterpretations. For instance, specify what factors might influence the indicator's accuracy.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a rough indicator" as a definitive or precise measure. Emphasize its approximate nature to prevent readers from drawing overly confident conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough indicator" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as an approximate or inexact measure. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to qualify a piece of data as providing a general, rather than precise, indication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a rough indicator" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that gives an approximate measure or sign, but isn't perfectly precise. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's used across diverse fields such as science, news, and business, highlighting its versatility. When using "a rough indicator", it's important to set appropriate expectations for your audience by clarifying the limitations of the indicator, and also to consider alternative phrases like "an approximate measure" or "a general guide" to best fit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an approximate measure

Highlights the inexact nature of the measurement.

a preliminary indication

Highlights the early and potentially incomplete nature of the sign.

a loose approximation

Stresses the lack of precision in the approximation.

a general guide

Focuses on providing direction rather than a specific measurement.

a crude assessment

Suggests a less refined or precise evaluation.

a broad estimate

Emphasizes the wide-ranging nature of the estimation.

a ballpark figure

Indicates an estimation within a reasonable range.

a basic gauge

Implies a simple and fundamental level of assessment.

a tentative marker

Highlights the provisional and uncertain nature of the indicator.

a rule of thumb

Refers to a practical and approximate principle.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rough indicator" to suggest an approximate measure or sign of something, like "The number of applications is "a rough indicator" of public interest".

What are some alternatives to "a rough indicator"?

Alternatives include "an approximate measure", "a general guide", or "a preliminary indication" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a rough indicator"?

Use "a rough indicator" when you want to convey that something provides a general sense or estimation, but is not necessarily precise or definitive. It's suitable when more accurate data isn't available or necessary.

What does "a rough indicator" imply about the data's accuracy?

Using "a rough indicator" suggests that the data provides an estimation, that should be interpreted with caution. It's essential not to overstate the precision or reliability of the information.