as a rough estimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a rough estimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing an approximate figure or calculation that is not exact but gives a general idea. Example: "The project will take, as a rough estimate, about three months to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Due to the relatively small number of observations (n = 25 countries) used in our model estimations, the outcomes should be interpreted as a rough estimate.

Journal of Shipping and Trade

As a rough estimate, drug industry profits might come to about 3percentt of health care spending.

The New York Times - Health

As a rough estimate, the government will need to find spending cuts and tax increases equal to 7 to 10 percent of G.D.P.

The New York Times

As a rough estimate, however, 40 to 50 percent of preliterate or ancient societies allowed premarital coitus under certain conditions to both males and females.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Mehta said the orchestra had discussed paying Lincoln Center $3 million as a rough estimate of what the center would lose as a result of the Philharmonic's departure.

The New York Times - Arts

Similar measurements can be used as a rough estimate of drug toxicity, the result being expressed as the median lethal dose (LD50), which is defined as the dose causing mortality in 50 percent of a group of animals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a rough estimate of price, you can expect to pay from £800 a square metre if you have an existing cellar that needs deepening, £1,400 if you don't have a basement at all and £200 if you have a full height cellar that needs tanking and fitting out.

Independent

So take it as a rough estimate.

TechCrunch

In the next section, CPU time is used as a rough estimate of computational complexity of the algorithms.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

However, this downlink channel magnitude can be used as a rough estimate of the uplink channel magnitude.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This preliminary estimate can be obtained through a basic STSA estimator, e.g., the MMSE estimator in [3], as only a rough estimate of the speech STSA is needed at this step.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a rough estimate", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the figure provided is not precise and should be treated as an approximation. This helps avoid misinterpretations and sets appropriate expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "as a rough estimate" when precise data is available or necessary for critical decision-making. Over-relying on approximations can lead to inaccurate conclusions and poor outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a rough estimate" primarily functions as an introductory adverbial phrase. It modifies a statement by indicating that the information provided is an approximation, and not precise. This is in line with Ludwig's analysis, confirming its function in qualifying subsequent statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a rough estimate" is a commonly used phrase that serves as an introductory adverbial, signaling that the information provided is an approximation rather than a precise figure. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions to qualify subsequent statements. While its register is generally neutral and acceptable across different contexts, more formal alternatives like "approximately" may be preferred in professional or highly formal settings. Ludwig's real-world examples show that the phrase appears frequently in scientific and news contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb, simplifying the expression while maintaining a similar meaning. Is slightly less formal than the original phrase.

roughly

Offers a shorter and more direct way to indicate an imprecise calculation or figure.

ballpark figure

Refers to an estimated number used as a basis for discussion when precise data is unavailable.

about

Is a brief and informal way to denote approximation, applicable to quantities and time.

in round numbers

Suggests expressing a quantity or value to the nearest convenient unit, implying a degree of simplification.

a back-of-the-envelope calculation

Suggests a quick, informal calculation done without precise data or tools.

by and large

Indicates a general overview or summary, rather than a precise measurement.

give or take

Indicates a degree of uncertainty in a quantity or measurement, acknowledging potential variation.

estimation

Focuses on the process of approximating a value or quantity, removing the implication of imprecision conveyed by "rough".

close to

Highlights nearness to a particular value but omits the explicit acknowledgement of approximation.

FAQs

How can I use "as a rough estimate" in a sentence?

You can use "as a rough estimate" to introduce an approximate figure or calculation, such as, "As a rough estimate, the project will cost around $10,000."

What are some alternatives to "as a rough estimate"?

Alternatives include "approximately", "roughly", or "ballpark figure", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "as a rough estimate"?

It's appropriate when you need to provide a general idea of a value or quantity without requiring precise accuracy. Avoid using it in situations where precision is crucial.

Is "as a rough estimate" formal or informal?

"As a rough estimate" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "approximately" might be preferred in highly formal settings.