a roughly equal number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a roughly equal number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing quantities that are similar or comparable in size or amount, but not exactly the same. Example: "In the survey, there were a roughly equal number of participants from both age groups."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If he is, he is also instrumental in destroying a roughly equal number of jobs elsewhere in the economy.

Harvard Business Review

Patient ages ranged from 13 to 73 years (mean, 38), and there was a roughly equal number of men and women.

American Journal of Otolaryngology

The 240 cases involved a roughly equal number of drug and alcohol offenses, although alcohol-related crimes have increased each year since 2004.

The New York Times

Most colleges work hard to maintain a roughly equal number of male and female participants -- whether on scholarship or not -- in athletics.

The New York Times

It has a dozen check-cashing joints, a roughly equal number of hotels, and a gaming center called the Boomtown Casino.

The New Yorker

At least four hundred and fifty island residents own shares in the onshore turbines, and a roughly equal number own shares in those offshore.

The New Yorker

But a roughly equal number of construction jobs were added in their place, and the service sector continued to race ahead.

The New York Times

Chastain, 44, had a roughly equal number of male and female coaches during her soccer career, but she knows that's increasingly rare for younger athletes.

The Washington Post

The cinemas are this week showing Toy Story 3 dubbed into both languages, and our hotel TV listed a roughly equal number of French – and Dutch – language channels.

Independent

The British lost about 850 men and a roughly equal number of native allies at Isandhlwana (pronounced is-sandal-WAH-na) on Jan . 22 , 1879after Lord Chelmsford, their commander, misguessed the Zulus' strength and location and split his force.

The New York Times - Tech

About 6,000 Sudanese reached the border town of Birak in Chad, said Helen Caux, a spokeswoman for the United Nations refugee agency, and a roughly equal number gathered in a nearby village.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a roughly equal number", ensure the context clearly indicates what items or groups are being compared for approximate quantity. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "a roughly equal number" implies absolute precision. This phrase suggests an approximation, not an exact count. Using it when precise figures are known diminishes credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a roughly equal number" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate an approximate quantity. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a roughly equal number" is a versatile and grammatically correct quantifier used to indicate an approximate equivalence in quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the items being compared and avoid implying absolute precision. Alternatives like "approximately the same quantity" or "nearly identical quantities" can be used to add nuance depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more or less equal

Uses the phrase "more or less equal", which directly conveys approximate equality.

approximately the same quantity

Replaces "roughly equal" with "approximately the same", emphasizing the similarity in amount.

nearly identical quantities

Substitutes "roughly equal" with "nearly identical", suggesting a close but not exact match.

virtually the same amount

Replaces "roughly equal" with "virtually the same", indicating a very slight difference.

around the same amount

Uses "around the same amount" instead of "roughly equal number", focusing on amount rather than count.

close to equal in quantity

Emphasizes the proximity to equality in terms of quantity.

comparable quantities

Replaces "roughly equal" with "comparable", indicating the amounts are similar enough for comparison.

similar in number

Changes the structure to "similar in number", keeping the emphasis on quantity.

almost equivalent numbers

Uses "almost equivalent" to convey a high degree of similarity, though not perfect equality.

in the same ballpark

Employs the idiom "in the same ballpark" to indicate quantities are close, but less formal.

FAQs

How can I use "a roughly equal number" in a sentence?

Use "a roughly equal number" to indicate that two or more groups or quantities are approximately the same. For instance, "A company hired "a roughly equal number" of men and women."

What are some alternatives to "a roughly equal number"?

Alternatives include phrases like "approximately the same quantity", "nearly identical quantities", or "around the same amount" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a roughly equal number" is suitable for formal writing when precision is not critical. However, if exact figures are available, it's better to use them for accuracy.

What's the difference between "a roughly equal number" and "an exact number"?

"A roughly equal number" indicates an approximation, whereas "an exact number" refers to a precise count. Use "a roughly equal number" when estimating or when the exact count is not necessary or available.