a rough point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rough point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an idea or argument that is not fully developed or is somewhat unclear. Example: "While discussing the topic, she made a rough point about the economic implications that needed further elaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

As a rough point of comparison, average income per head in Yusuf's native Sudan is just £670 a month (across the two nations of North and South Sudan).

Independent

In the American threat advisory issued Wednesday, General Dunford expressed concerns about the strain between the countries, saying, "We're at a rough point in the relationship".

The New York Times

The WLE served as a rough point estimate of the unknown true proficiency score.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Starting from a rough point cloud derived from a video image stream, the initial configuration of the camera network is designed, assuming a high-resolution HR state-of-the-art non-metric camera.

Journal of Cultural Heritage

It was kind of a rough point in my life, but at the time, I was just kind of hard-headed about listening to anybody or really paying attention to what might be healthy, what might be the best way to handle things.

Huffington Post

The spoon/spatula from Grave VIII consists of a tibial shaft fragment from a red deer (Cervus elaphus) with one end broken at an oblique angle and tapering to a rough point, while the other end has been smoothed to form a shallow depression (Figure 5C).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Every championship defender goes through a rough spot at some point during the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Tripoli finishes each unit only up to a certain rough point.

The New York Times

Where the avenue meets the Atlantic, take a tour of Rough Point (680 Bellevue Avenue; 401-847-8344; newporthestoration.org), the one-time vacation home of Doris Duke -- tobacco heiress, competitive paddleboard surfer and camel owner.

The New York Times

Begin to smooth down any rough points with 100 grit sandpaper.

WikiHow

From a rough starting point of Joy Orbison's exquisite underground hit 'Hyph Mngo', these early days saw house beats and 2-step rhythms spliced with dubstep's bass-weight, but somewhere along the way bass music's relationship with house was severed.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rough point" when introducing a concept or idea that will be further refined later in your writing. It sets the expectation for subsequent elaboration.

Common error

Avoid presenting information introduced as "a rough point" as definitive or conclusive. Ensure that subsequent details either validate or refine the initial approximation to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough point" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It describes something that is not yet refined, complete, or accurate, representing an initial or challenging stage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rough point" is a versatile phrase used to describe an imprecise estimate, a challenging time, or an initial stage of development. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for a variety of contexts, as demonstrated by its occurrence in news articles, scientific papers, and wiki content. While "a rough point" isn't extremely common, it serves as a useful way to introduce ideas or acknowledge difficulties, provided that the context clarifies the level of precision involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult moment

Focuses on the challenging nature of the situation, rather than its imprecision or initial state.

a trying period

Emphasizes the duration and demanding nature of the experience.

a challenging time

Highlights the difficulties encountered during a particular period.

a problematic phase

Indicates a specific stage marked by issues and complications.

an imprecise estimate

Specifically refers to an approximation that lacks accuracy.

a crude approximation

Suggests a basic, undeveloped and possibly inaccurate estimation.

a ballpark figure

Implies an approximate number, generally used for estimations.

a preliminary assessment

Describes an initial evaluation that is subject to change.

an initial estimate

Specifically refers to an early, possibly inaccurate figure.

a flawed argument

Refers to a point that contains some defects, weaknesses or limitations in its construction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rough point" to indicate an imprecise estimate or a challenging stage. For example, "The initial budget was just "a rough point", and we expect it to change as the project progresses" or "It was "a rough point" in my life, but I learned a lot from it".

What's the difference between "a rough point" and "a tough point"?

"A rough point" often refers to an approximation or initial stage that lacks precision or smoothness, while "a tough point" ("a tough point") indicates a difficult or challenging aspect. The former emphasizes imprecision; the latter, difficulty.

What are some synonyms for "a rough point" when referring to an estimate?

When referring to an estimate, alternatives to "a rough point" include "an imprecise estimate", "a crude approximation", or "a ballpark figure", all of which suggest varying degrees of inexactness.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a rough point"?

It's suitable when describing initial plans, early estimates, or challenging moments in life. Be mindful that you may want to avoid using "a rough point" in formal or precise contexts, such as scientific reports or legal documents, unless the imprecision is clearly acknowledged.