are roughly correct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are roughly correct" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to state that the facts being described are not perfectly accurate but are close to the truth. For example: "Most of the details I gave about the crime scene are roughly correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

These numbers are roughly correct.

The Washington Post

"We are getting to the point where we're getting numbers that are roughly correct," he says.

Science Magazine

I don't know if the price will be disclosed, or if the rumors of $75 million are roughly correct.

TechCrunch

Perhaps we are reliably motivated by our moral judgments, at least when those judgments are roughly correct, because moral properties like rightness and goodness themselves motivate us, when we apprehend them.

SEP

The Tax Policy Center said those figures are roughly correct.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Before the connection step, each image is converted to monochrome with green component for the pathological image or blue component for the macro image, and then initial positions of pathological images are roughly corrected manually.

Analytical Cellular Pathology

Others familiar with the agreement say that is roughly correct.

The New York Times

Still, if the polls continue to be roughly correct, this is where the horse race ends.

The Guardian - Opinion

(His estimate of the Moon's distance was roughly correct, but his figure for the solar distance was only about a twentieth of the correct value).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although it's roughly correct to say $500 billion was shifted from the Medicare program to the new health care program, it's a stretch to say the money was "stolen," especially since the Medicare savings were also adopted in the budget that House Republicans passed earlier this year (but the Senate rejected).

The New York Times

This, together with an estimate of 5,000 stades for the distance between Alexandria and Syene, gave a value of 50 × 5,000 = 250,000 stades (about 45,000 km, or 28,000 miles) for the circumference of Earth, a figure that was roughly correct, regardless of the exact value of Eratosthenes' stade.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "are roughly correct" in contexts where exact precision is crucial, such as in scientific measurements or legal documents. Instead, opt for more precise language or provide specific error margins.

Common error

Avoid using "are roughly correct" when the information is known to be significantly inaccurate. If the margin of error is substantial, consider using phrases that convey greater uncertainty, like "might be inaccurate" or "are only estimates".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are roughly correct" functions as an assessment, indicating that something is nearly accurate but not perfectly so. As Ludwig AI points out, it suggests an approximation that is acceptably close to the true value or fact. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts to describe figures, estimates, or statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are roughly correct" is a useful expression for indicating that information is acceptably close to being accurate without being perfectly precise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. It's particularly common in news, science, and encyclopedia articles, suggesting a neutral register. While it's a versatile phrase, it's best to avoid using it when exact precision is critical. Instead, consider alternatives like "are approximately right" or "are nearly accurate", depending on the context and desired level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are approximately right

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", indicating a similar degree of precision.

are nearly accurate

Substitutes "roughly correct" with "nearly accurate", suggesting a high degree of closeness to the truth.

are close to being correct

Emphasizes the proximity to being fully correct, rather than just an approximation.

are fairly precise

Focuses on the level of precision, implying a reasonable level of accuracy.

are in the right ballpark

An idiomatic expression meaning 'close to the correct value or answer'.

are substantially accurate

Highlights the accuracy as being significant or considerable.

are reasonably accurate

Indicates a good, but not perfect, level of accuracy.

are more or less correct

Suggests that while there might be minor inaccuracies, the overall statement is valid.

are by and large accurate

Implies a general accuracy with potential minor exceptions.

are on the right track

This phrase suggests that while not fully correct, progress is being made in the right direction.

FAQs

How can I use "are roughly correct" in a sentence?

You can use "are roughly correct" to indicate that figures or statements are not perfectly accurate but are close enough to the actual value or truth. For example, "The estimated costs for the project are roughly correct, though there might be some minor discrepancies".

What phrases are similar to "are roughly correct"?

Alternatives include phrases like "are approximately right", "are nearly accurate", or "are close to being correct", depending on the desired nuance.

When should I avoid using "are roughly correct"?

Avoid using "are roughly correct" in situations where precision is critical, such as in legal documents or scientific research. In these cases, strive for more exact language or provide explicit margins of error.

Is it appropriate to use "are roughly correct" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate, although consider the context. In formal writing, ensure that the level of approximation is acceptable for the situation. If greater precision is needed, use more specific language.