are roughly equivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are roughly equivalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more items, indicating that they have similar values or meanings but are not exactly the same. Example: "In terms of performance, the two models are roughly equivalent, making either a suitable choice for consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other OECD countries the proportions are roughly equivalent regardless of parental origins.

The Guardian

Essentially, all the rest of the top hundred are "roughly equivalent in value".

The New Yorker

Those numbers are hardly a franchise best, but they are roughly equivalent to previous entries.

The Guardian - Film

As a result, the three markets are roughly equivalent on hockey terms: each has about 1.1 million serious N.H.L. fans.

The New York Times

So while the populations of Iraq and Afghanistan are roughly equivalent, America has 127,000 troops in Iraq, and 9,800 in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

The certificates are roughly equivalent to mutual fund shares, with investors owning a portfolio of loans rather than stocks or bonds.

The New York Times

The size of its forces and the sophistication of its weaponry are roughly equivalent to those of Britain, which has an annual defense budget of about $33 billion.

The New York Times

The Bank's forecasts, thanks to a pick-up in the second half of next year, are roughly equivalent to 1% growth in 1999.

The Economist

Phonons are roughly equivalent to phonological distinctive features and include such properties or components of phonemes as labial, nasal, and so on.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While polls seem to suggest that Republican women still support Mr. Cain in numbers that are roughly equivalent to men, flickers of discontent are emerging in crucial constituencies.

The New York Times

Sogo's outstanding debts to the Industrial Bank -- 180 billion yen, or $1.7 billion -- are roughly equivalent to a year's worth of operating profit, according to James P. Fiorillo, senior banking analyst at ING Barings here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data sets, use "are roughly equivalent" to acknowledge that while the overall trend may be similar, individual data points could vary. For example, "While the individual salaries varied, the average incomes of both groups are roughly equivalent."

Common error

Avoid using "are roughly equivalent" when differences are significant or consequential. Saying "the risks are roughly equivalent" might be misleading if one risk has a higher severity despite having a similar probability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are roughly equivalent" serves as a comparative descriptor, indicating that two or more entities share a similar quality, value, or characteristic without being identical. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains demonstrating its utility in conveying approximate equality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are roughly equivalent" is a versatile comparative tool used to indicate approximate equality between two or more entities. As highlighted by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal communication. While it does not denote absolute sameness, it effectively conveys a significant degree of similarity. Consider that the most frequent sources are: The New York Times, Science Magazine and TechCrunch. When using this phrase, be mindful not to overstate the equivalence if there are substantial differences that may impact your assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are approximately the same

Emphasizes numerical or measurable similarity but maintains a degree of inexactness.

are nearly identical

Suggests a very high degree of similarity, bordering on being the same.

are comparable

Highlights the ability to compare two things, implying they share key similarities.

are on par with

Indicates that two things are at the same level or standard.

are much alike

Emphasizes a general similarity without specifying the degree.

are fairly similar

Indicates a moderate level of similarity.

are close in value

Highlights the similarity in terms of value, whether monetary or abstract.

are of a kind

Implies that two things belong to the same category and share essential qualities.

bear comparison to

Suggests that comparing them is relevant and useful, implying some similarities exist.

parallel each other

Indicates that the two things have a direct relationship.

FAQs

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

Use "are roughly equivalent" to indicate that two or more things have similar value, size, or effect without being exactly the same. For example, "The costs of the two options "are roughly equivalent", so the decision comes down to personal preference."

What can I say instead of "are roughly equivalent"?

You can use alternatives like "are approximately the same", "are nearly identical", or "are comparable" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "are roughly equivalent" is suitable for formal writing, especially when precision is not critical, and you want to convey a general similarity. It acknowledges that differences exist while emphasizing overall likeness.

What's the difference between "are roughly equivalent" and "are exactly the same"?

"Are roughly equivalent" implies a level of similarity that isn't precise or absolute. In contrast, "are exactly the same" indicates complete and total identity in all aspects. For example, "While the designs "are roughly equivalent", the materials used "are exactly the same"."