a roughly precise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a roughly precise" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to convey an approximation that still holds some level of accuracy, but it is generally contradictory. Example: "The measurements were a roughly precise estimate, giving us a good idea of the dimensions needed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Follow a roughly precise schedule.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

We shall follow a roughly chronological order.

SEP

A roughly %62 increase.

TechCrunch

Get a roughly 2 x1" piece of ginger.

WikiHow

From there, through qualitative interviews coupled with analysis of experimental and survey data, Dunbar discovered that the number grows and decreases according to a precise formula, roughly a "rule of three".

The New Yorker

Because the poll surveys the same set of roughly 3,000 people each week, it allows a more precise look at how people are making up their minds.

Los Angeles Times

An analysis of the relationship between biomass yield and Gibbs energy dissipation reveals that one does not need a very precise estimation of the latter to predict the former roughly.

Thermochimica Acta

Roughly speaking (Additional file 1 for a precise definition), power-law decreases, also named algebraic tails, are regularly varying [ 11] whereas all types of exponential decreases (including exponential-power functions for instance) are rapidly varying.

BMC Ecology

A precise solution perhaps required a precise response.

BBC

Here, too, however, he is soon brought to earth in a wonderfully precise moment (just before the Hecuba soliloquy) in which theatrical make-believe touches too roughly upon real circumstance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for accuracy, avoid using "a roughly precise". Instead, opt for phrases like "an approximate yet accurate" or "a somewhat exact" to convey a balanced sense of estimation and correctness.

Common error

Avoid combining contradictory terms. The phrase "a roughly precise" blends approximation with accuracy, creating ambiguity. Choose wording that clearly reflects the intended degree of precision or approximation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a roughly precise" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. However, it's an unconventional combination of terms as Ludwig AI notes, since "roughly" implies approximation, while "precise" indicates exactness. The intended meaning would be better conveyed using clearer, less contradictory language.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a roughly precise" aims to convey an approximation with a degree of accuracy, Ludwig AI indicates it's not a standard or recommended expression. The analysis shows that it appears infrequently across various domains like news, wikis, and science, but is missing from more formal contexts. For clearer communication, consider alternatives like "an approximate yet accurate" or "a nearly exact". Avoiding the contradictory nature of "a roughly precise" enhances both the grammatical correctness and stylistic effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an approximate yet accurate

Replaces "roughly" with "approximate" while retaining the sense of near precision with 'accurate'.

a somewhat exact

Emphasizes the inexact nature of the precision, suggesting a degree of accuracy is still present.

a near precise

Uses "near" to indicate a close approximation of precision.

an almost precise

Indicates a state very close to precision, but not quite there.

a generally accurate

Focuses on accuracy while acknowledging a lack of fine detail.

a broadly correct

Highlights the overall correctness while allowing for minor inaccuracies.

an estimated precise

This alternative suggests that the precise measurement or value is estimated.

a crude but accurate

This focuses on the accuracy of the result despite the process of arriving at it not being exact.

a rough but reliable

This alternative conveys that the estimate may not be precise, but it is trustworthy and can be depended on.

a fair approximation

Shifts the focus to approximation, indicating a reasonable estimate.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a roughly precise" to sound more natural?

Consider alternatives such as "an approximate yet accurate", "a nearly exact", or "a reasonably precise" depending on the context.

Is "a roughly precise" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "a roughly precise" is an unusual combination of terms that might sound awkward or contradictory to native English speakers. It is recommended to choose "an approximate yet accurate".

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

It is best to avoid "a roughly precise" in formal or technical writing. If you need to convey an estimate that still has some degree of accuracy, it is preferable to clarify by using "a near precise estimate".

What's the difference between "a roughly precise" and "a precise estimate"?

"A precise estimate" suggests a calculation with a high level of accuracy, while "a roughly precise" introduces ambiguity by combining approximation and accuracy. It's clearer to use phrases like "an approximate estimate" or "an accurate estimate" to avoid confusion.