a roughly comparable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a roughly comparable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing items, concepts, or situations that are similar in some aspects but not identical. Example: "The two products are a roughly comparable alternative in terms of price and features."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Other sites on the Continent yielded artifacts of a roughly comparable age, but no fossil bones.

The New York Times - Science

Getting 65% of its adults online puts it at a roughly comparable stage to Italy (66%).

The Guardian

The "hints" around 125 GeV which, with more data, later became the Higgs, had a roughly comparable statistical significance in December 2011 to the current bump.

The Guardian

Although this can sound alarming, the top grossing films of 2013 also include a roughly comparable number of violence descriptors from the BBFC.

The Guardian - Tech

A roughly comparable program in Granada, Spain, but with larger classes, a shared bedroom and only two meals a day, is $585.

The New York Times - Travel

Most of the properties examined show a roughly comparable correlation with plasticity, but the accuracy is not sufficient to be used for alloy design.

Acta Materialia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Their prototype of an easy-to-manufacture apparatus could lead to a commercial version that produces hydrogen via electrolysis for about $3 per kilogram – a quantity roughly comparable to a gallon of gasoline – down from today's $8 per kilogram.

MIT Technology Review

Now researchers at GE say they've come up with a prototype version of an easy-to-manufacture apparatus that they believe could lead to a commercial machine able to produce hydrogen via electrolysis for about $3 per kilogram – a quantity roughly comparable to a gallon of gasoline – down from today's $8 per kilogram.

MIT Technology Review

Branagan claims his atomized alloy will sell for $20-$20-$25ound, roughly comparable to the cost of a tungsten-carbide coating, a common additive to tool bits.

Forbes

By contrast, Raines and his peers, Henderson and Willie Wilson, averaged an extra 10 runs a year — roughly comparable to the gap between six home runs and six strikeouts.

The New York Times - Sports

As a squash-racquets instructor, Harry Cowles occupied a position roughly comparable to that of Knute Rockne in football... From the time he took over at Harvard, in 1922, until illness forced his retirement, in 1937, his pupils won the National Individual Championship ten times and the National Team Championship on five occasions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a roughly comparable", ensure the context makes clear what specific aspects are being compared. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "a roughly comparable" when the items being compared are significantly different. Overstating the similarity can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a roughly comparable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is similar but not identical to something else. Ludwig examples show it modifying terms like "age", "program", and "population".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a roughly comparable" is a useful way to indicate similarity without implying exact equality. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It's prevalent across diverse fields like science, news, and business, making it versatile for various writing styles. When using this phrase, clarify the basis of comparison to prevent ambiguity and avoid overstating the degree of similarity. Consider alternatives like "approximately equivalent" or "somewhat similar" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparable to

A more direct comparison, suggesting similar qualities.

approximately equivalent

Indicates a level of equivalence that is not exact but close.

roughly equivalent

Implies a similar value or effect, but with some room for variation.

more or less equal

Indicates substantial equality, but allows for minor disparities.

somewhat similar

Suggests a degree of likeness, but implies differences exist.

close to

Indicates proximity or nearness in value or characteristic.

fairly analogous

Highlights a resemblance in function or structure.

on par with

Suggests a comparable level of quality or performance.

of a similar order

Highlights that values are close in magnitude or scale.

in the same ballpark

Informal way to indicate that values are close.

FAQs

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

Use "a roughly comparable" to indicate that two or more items or situations are similar in some, but not all, aspects. For example, "The cost of the two systems is "roughly comparable"".

What are some alternatives to "a roughly comparable"?

Alternatives include "approximately equivalent", "somewhat similar", or "roughly equivalent", each suggesting a different nuance of similarity.

Is it appropriate to use "a roughly comparable" in formal writing?

Yes, "a roughly comparable" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when you need to acknowledge that while there are similarities, the items being compared are not exactly the same.

What's the difference between "a roughly comparable" and "exactly the same"?

"A roughly comparable" implies similarities but acknowledges differences, while "exactly the same" indicates complete identity. Use "a roughly comparable" when precision is not required or when you want to highlight similarities without implying exactness.