as a rough point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a rough point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing an approximate or general idea rather than a precise detail. Example: "As a rough point, we expect the project to take about six months to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As a rough point of comparison, average income per head in Yusuf's native Sudan is just £670 a month (across the two nations of North and South Sudan).

Independent

The WLE served as a rough point estimate of the unknown true proficiency score.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Put a rough point on the end that will become the hook.

WikiHow

We can also use empirical data as a rough starting point for thinking about prior probability.

British Medical Journal

For example, in the Falkland Islands, Aplochiton sp. have become extinct in some rivers within 50 60 years of the first introduction of brown trout (McDowall et al. 2001; McDowall 2006), and we used this figure as a rough cutoff point to classify brown trout populations as 'old' (>60 years) or 'new' (<60 years).

Evolutionary Applications

The house, known as Rough Point, is on seven acres in Locust, N.J., and was listed at $8.9 million.

The New York Times

As a rough model, Mr. Hutchinson pointed to a work requirement for certain food stamp recipients — a federal policy that was part of the landmark 1996 welfare overhaul — that Arkansas reinstated last year.

The New York Times - Health

When he announced last year that he had sold his house, Rough Point, as well as the paper to a high-tech business executive from California, Michael Gallagher, there was some lamenting in the community.

The New York Times

As a rough guide the mean score for any given population seems to be the best cut-off point to determine whether a group or individual scores above or below the average [ 23].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

As a rough index of morphological dissimilarity, hybrids would show equal mean distances to the centroids of both parental clouds of points if they have intermediate aedeagus morphology.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

West described it as "a rough draft".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a rough point", ensure the audience understands that the information provided is not exact and may require further refinement.

Common error

Avoid presenting information introduced with "as a rough point" as definitive or precise. Ensure that subsequent details align with the understanding that the initial point is approximate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a rough point" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a statement by indicating that it should be taken as an approximation or a general starting point rather than a precise or definitive detail. Ludwig examples show its use in setting expectations for accuracy.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a rough point" serves as an adverbial phrase used to introduce an approximation or general estimate, as analyzed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct, it appears rarely in the analyzed texts. Ludwig AI confirms this, and examples suggest it is used across various contexts like science, news, and general discussions, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure your audience understands that the information is not exact and may require further refinement. Consider using alternatives like "as a general guide" or "as a preliminary estimate" depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a general guide

Emphasizes providing overall direction rather than specific detail.

as a preliminary estimate

Highlights the early stage and potential for revision in the estimation.

as a basic starting point

Focuses on the initial step in a process or calculation.

as a broad approximation

Stresses the lack of precision and wide scope of the approximation.

as an initial indicator

Suggests using the information as a first sign or signal.

as a crude benchmark

Indicates a simple and potentially inaccurate standard for comparison.

as a rule of thumb

Implies a practical and easily applied method, not necessarily precise.

as a tentative figure

Highlights the uncertain and provisional nature of the number.

as a working hypothesis

Presents the idea as a basis for further investigation and testing.

for sake of argument

Suggests using the point temporarily for the purpose of discussion or analysis.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a rough point" to introduce an estimation or approximation. For example, "As a rough point, we'll need to allocate around $10,000 for marketing."

What can I say instead of "as a rough point"?

You can use alternatives like "as a general guide", "as a preliminary estimate", or "as a basic starting point" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "as a rough point" in formal writing?

While "as a rough point" is acceptable, in highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "as a preliminary estimate" or "as an initial approximation" for added precision.

What is the difference between "as a rough point" and "as a precise figure"?

"As a rough point" indicates an approximation, while "as a precise figure" implies an exact or accurate value. They are used to convey different levels of accuracy.