a rough notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rough notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey an approximate idea or understanding of something without being precise. Example: "I have a rough notion of how the project will unfold, but I need more details to finalize the plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

You can intimidate everybody". Most Americans have only a rough notion of the bond market's nature.

The New York Times

Anyone who wants to play is very welcome, the only qualification is wanting to come and having a rough notion what the OBO (or cricket) is.

The Guardian - Sport

Vladimir Putin, a former officer of the K.G.B., was the first post-Soviet leader to deliver a state prize to Solzhenitsyn, who had spent a lifetime in a death struggle with the K.G.B.; a large part of their common ground was a rough notion of what Russia encompassed.

The New Yorker

They do apply versions of the laws of excluded middle and non-contradiction, along with concepts of logical "admissibility" (ke) and "perversity" (bei) that are intertwined with a rough notion of logical consistency.[21] They also employ a rigorous system of quantifiers and conjunctions of implication.

SEP

However, it provides a rough notion of the relationship between psychosocial workload and diminished health and sick leave in different age groups.

BMJ Open

The time honoured method of verifying seed health by field inspection and rogueing of blackleg-affected plants, which is still widely practiced, can at best provide a rough notion of the possible infection.

Annals of Applied Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This implies that an inverse-lighting approach such as that proposed by Marschner can only recover a very rough notion of the lighting.

Stanford University

If lacking in cohesive structure and a fully coherent ideology, the rough notion of a gang constituted by the Bloods in New York was enough to send the numbers of what police called gang-related crimes soaring in recent years.

The New York Times

But this Court has never before abandoned the view that jury instructions must contain a statement of the applicable law sufficiently precise to enable the jury to be guided by something other than its rough notions of social justice.

Harvard University

If it was a piece of theatre, it was one clearly still in workshop, with only the roughest notion of how the last act would end — or even how its authors wanted it to end, and what the basic motivations of the characters might be.

The New Yorker

Just across the North Bridge he stands, midstride on a rough granite pedestal, Daniel Chester French's notion of a warring colonial farmer.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rough notion" when you want to indicate that someone has a general, but not necessarily precise, understanding of something. This is useful in scenarios where details are not yet fully known or are not essential to the current discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a rough notion" when you possess detailed knowledge of the subject. Opt for more specific language to accurately reflect your level of understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough notion" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a verb or another noun, indicating an approximate or imprecise understanding. Ludwig AI validates this usage through examples where the phrase clarifies the extent of knowledge or comprehension.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rough notion" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey an imprecise or approximate understanding. Ludwig AI confirms this through real-world examples spanning from news articles to scientific papers. While suitable for various contexts, from news to science, it's essential to avoid it when detailed knowledge is required. Alternative phrases like ""a vague idea"" or ""a general sense"" can be used to express similar meanings. When writing, be mindful not to overstate your understanding and use more precise language when available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vague idea

Implies an even less clear or defined understanding than "a rough notion".

a general sense

Suggests an overall feeling or impression rather than a concrete idea.

a basic understanding

Indicates a fundamental grasp of a topic, potentially lacking in detail.

an approximate idea

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the understanding.

a rudimentary concept

Highlights the elementary nature of the understanding.

a sketchy outline

Conveys an incomplete or lightly detailed plan or understanding.

a hazy impression

Suggests the understanding is unclear and not well-defined.

a crude estimation

Emphasizes that the understanding is roughly calculated or assessed.

a blurred vision

Suggests that the understanding is vague, as if not completely in focus.

an imprecise grasp

Highlights the inexactness of the understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rough notion" to indicate an approximate idea or understanding of something. For instance, "I have "a rough notion" of how the project will unfold, but I need more details to finalize the plan".

What phrases are similar to "a rough notion"?

Similar phrases include "a vague idea", "a general sense", or "a basic understanding".

Is "a rough notion" formal or informal?

"A rough notion" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, more precise language may be preferred.

When should I avoid using "a rough notion"?

Avoid using "a rough notion" when precision is required or when you possess detailed knowledge of the subject. In such cases, more specific and accurate language is more appropriate.