a roughly accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

"a roughly accurate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not absolutely precise, but is close enough to be considered accurate. For example, "My recollection of the event is a roughly accurate representation of what actually happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

However, we feel this gives a roughly accurate estimate of likelihood.

The Guardian

At least as regards Crimea, and give or take a few rhetorical flourishes and judgments, this is a roughly accurate representation of what happened, or, at least, of what recent history felt like to many Russians.

The New Yorker

It will henceforth be possible, as it never was before, to close your eyes and picture, in your mind, a roughly accurate map of the layout's forty-four galleries.

The New Yorker

Although these numbers come from an association that has a vested interest in making the housing market look healthy, they do provide a roughly accurate picture of how housing prices have behaved in the past six years.

The New Yorker

That doesn't mean America would come out on top, of course, but it would probably give Scandinavia a run for its money if a roughly accurate measure of the latter were attempted.

The Economist

In natural disasters or terrorist attacks resulting in traumatic injuries, a roughly accurate number of surviving casualties requiring medical care is usually quickly ascertained (within hours).

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Follow a roughly precise schedule.

WikiHow

Even where memory for the gist of an event is roughly accurate, details may shift as the trace is filtered through other beliefs, dreams, fears, or wishes (compare Schacter 1996, pp. 101 113).

SEP

If one assumes that day-to-day numbers reported in the newspaper were roughly accurate, a simple calculation places the number of vaccinees closer to 2.5 million, far short of the announced total.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

This is roughly accurate for a child eating a large bag of crisps every day, though, as Charlie Brooker pointed out at the time, doesn't necessarily tally up to mean this is bad for your health.

The Guardian - Opinion

In her late twenties, she turned down a marriage proposal from a nice Jewish lawyer; for further, roughly accurate details, see "Isn't It Romantic," in which Janie Blumberg turns down a marriage proposal from a nice Jewish doctor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a roughly accurate" when you want to convey that something is not perfectly precise but still reliable enough for the purpose at hand. It suggests a level of imprecision that is acceptable within the given context.

Common error

Avoid using "a roughly accurate" when describing data or information that requires high precision. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty, which might not be appropriate in contexts where exactness is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a roughly accurate" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is nearly correct but not perfectly precise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a roughly accurate" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating an approximation or near correctness. As Ludwig AI states, it describes something not perfectly precise but close enough to be considered accurate. While predominantly found in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, its neutral to professional register makes it adaptable to diverse writing styles. When aiming for precision, however, consider stronger alternatives. Remember, this phrase best serves when acknowledging acceptable imprecision without sacrificing utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an approximate

Changes to a single word, replacing the adjective with a similar meaning.

a near precise

Substitutes both adjectives with slightly stronger but related terms.

a close approximation

Rephrases the concept using a noun phrase instead of adjective phrase.

an estimated

Replaces the phrase with a single adjective indicating estimation.

a fairly correct

Uses a different adverb to modify the adjective "correct".

a generally accurate

Changes the adverb to indicate accuracy in most cases.

a reasonably accurate

Uses a different adverb to express a similar level of accuracy.

a good enough estimate

Replaces the phrase with a more colloquial expression.

a ballpark figure

Replaces the phrase with an idiom indicating a rough estimation.

in the right area

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate approximate correctness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a roughly accurate" to describe estimates, measurements, or representations that are not exact but close enough for practical purposes. For example, "The map provides "a roughly accurate" depiction of the island's terrain".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a roughly accurate"?

Alternatives include "an approximate", "a near precise", or "a close approximation" depending on the level of precision you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a roughly accurate" or "an accurate"?

Using "a roughly accurate" implies some level of imprecision, while "an accurate" suggests a higher degree of exactness. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual level of precision in your description.

When is it inappropriate to use "a roughly accurate"?

It's inappropriate to use "a roughly accurate" when describing something that requires precise measurements or data, such as in scientific experiments or legal documents. In such cases, strive for exactness and avoid implying uncertainty.