a roughly adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a roughly adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that meets a minimum standard or requirement but is not perfect or exceptional. Example: "The solution provided was a roughly adequate response to the problem, but it lacked depth and detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(Orshanksy reasoned that because one-third of a family budget is devoted to food, one could use an emergency food budget multiplied by a factor of three to calculate a roughly adequate estimate of poverty).

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Also, it's a roughly $15,000 bike.

The New York Times

A roughly thirtysomething, urbane crowd.

The Guardian - Music

We shall follow a roughly chronological order.

SEP

A roughly %62 increase.

TechCrunch

A roughly linear relationship is established.

ROBOMECH Journal

Follow a roughly precise schedule.

WikiHow

Get a roughly 2 x1" piece of ginger.

WikiHow

A: Adequate.

Huffington Post

Writing with a pencil necessitates an adequate eraser.

TechCrunch

Yet only about half of those who need help seek care, according to a 2008 Rand Corporation report, and among that group roughly 50 percent receive adequate treatment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a roughly adequate", ensure the context clarifies the implied level of precision. It's best suited for situations where an exact measure is not critical or easily obtainable.

Common error

Avoid using "a roughly adequate" when the situation demands a precise or highly effective solution. It can undermine the seriousness of the context if a higher standard is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a roughly adequate" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase describing a noun. It indicates that something meets a minimum standard or requirement, but is not perfect or precise. It characterizes the degree to which something is sufficient or acceptable, implying an approximation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a roughly adequate" is used to describe something that meets a minimum level of sufficiency or acceptability without being precise or exceptional. Ludwig shows it's grammatically correct, although rare, and can be applied across various contexts, including news and media, science, and general explanations. To maintain precision, use "a roughly adequate" when detailing estimations or when exact accuracy is not critical. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "an approximately sufficient". Keep in mind that this phrase should be avoided in situations that require precise solutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An approximately sufficient

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", maintaining a similar level of imprecision regarding the degree of adequacy.

A roughly satisfactory

Replaces "adequate" with "satisfactory", focusing on whether the item or result fulfills expectations to a degree.

A somewhat sufficient

This alternative suggests a degree of adequacy that is less than complete but still meets the requirements. It replaces "roughly" with "somewhat", softening the approximation.

A just adequate

Emphasizes the adequacy by using "just", to highlight that is barely adequate.

A fairly acceptable

This option indicates that something is within the bounds of what is considered satisfactory. It swaps the focus from approximation to acceptance.

A minimally sufficient

Highlights the minimum requirement that must be satisfied.

A reasonably good enough

Emphasizes that something meets a certain standard of acceptability by being 'good enough', implying practicality over perfection.

A tolerably sufficient

Indicates a level of sufficiency that is acceptable despite potential drawbacks or imperfections.

A passably acceptable

Implies that something barely meets the criteria for acceptance or approval.

A borderline adequate

Suggests the item in question just barely meets the minimum requirements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a roughly adequate" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "an approximately sufficient" or "a moderately acceptable".

What does "a roughly adequate" imply about the quality?

The phrase suggests that something meets a minimum requirement but isn't outstanding. It's sufficient without being excellent.

When is it appropriate to use "a roughly adequate"?

Use it when describing something that is "good enough" for the purpose but not necessarily perfect or ideal. It implies an estimation or approximation is involved.

Is there a difference between "roughly adequate" and "adequate"?

Yes, "roughly adequate" suggests a lower degree of certainty or precision than simply "adequate". The inclusion of "roughly" indicates the assessment is approximate rather than exact.