as a rough proxy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a rough proxy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something serves as an approximate substitute or representation for something else, though not perfectly accurate. Example: "We can use the average temperature as a rough proxy for climate change trends over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It works well as a rough proxy for "coolness" - albeit one in which your correspondent presumably counts as cool.And the trend is clear.

The Economist

For more than two decades, scientists have relied on studies linking tooth development in juvenile primates with their weaning as a rough proxy for understanding similar landmarks in the evolution of early humans.

Harvard University

The other thing to say is that while Trussell trust's data act as a rough proxy for food insecurity, and a useful guide as to why people go hungry, they cannot tell the whole story (as Trussell accepts).

The Guardian

Perhaps the most-cited statistic is the unemployment rate, which the federal government reports on a monthly basis and which is meant as a rough proxy for whether people who want to work are finding opportunities.

The New Yorker

As a rough proxy, look at President Bush's poll numbers.

Forbes

Box office receipts can serve as a rough proxy for a number of viewers, but lower-earning movies can also disseminate their ideas and aesthetics far and wide.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

For Cactaceae, most of the species considered at risk were so due to a small native range size (http://www.iucnredlist.org/), and therefore, in this case, the list provides a rough proxy for native range size (as well as giving some indication of population trends).

AoB PLANTS

Demographics offered a rough proxy for expected behavior.

Harvard Business Review

It's a rough proxy for pessimism and optimism.

The New York Times

Those imbalances are a rough proxy for capital flight.

The New York Times

Current accounts are a rough proxy for the economic health of eurozone states.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "as a rough proxy" with specific data or context to increase the clarity of your analysis.

Common error

Avoid presenting information derived from a "as a rough proxy" as definitive or precise; always highlight its approximate nature and potential for error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a rough proxy" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating that something is being used as an approximate or imperfect substitute for something else. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a rough proxy" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate an approximate substitute or representation, according to Ludwig. It frequently appears in scientific, news, and business contexts, making it appropriate for neutral to formal registers. When using this phrase, it's crucial to acknowledge the limitations of the approximation to maintain clarity and avoid overstating accuracy. Ludwig examples from authoritative sources showcase diverse applications, demonstrating that understanding context is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an approximate indicator

Replaces 'proxy' with 'indicator', emphasizing the suggestive rather than substitutive nature of the measure.

as a general estimate

Uses 'estimate' instead of 'proxy', highlighting the lack of precision in the measurement.

as a crude measure

Substitutes 'rough' with 'crude' to amplify the imprecision of the proxy.

as a simplified representation

Emphasizes the representational aspect while acknowledging simplification.

as an imperfect substitute

Directly acknowledges the limitations of using something as a replacement.

as a basic gauge

Uses 'gauge' instead of 'proxy', suggesting a measuring or assessment tool.

as a preliminary indication

Highlights the initial or tentative nature of the information.

as an educated guess

Implies a degree of speculation or inference involved in using the measure.

as a working assumption

Suggests the use of the proxy as a basis for further reasoning or action.

as a tentative stand-in

Emphasizes the provisional and temporary nature of the proxy.

FAQs

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

Use "as a rough proxy" to indicate that something serves as an approximate, though not perfectly accurate, substitute or indicator for something else. For example: "We can use the unemployment rate as a rough proxy for economic health."

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

Alternatives include "as an approximate indicator", "as a general estimate", or "as a crude measure", depending on the level of precision needed.

Is it appropriate to use "as a rough proxy" in formal writing?

Yes, "as a rough proxy" can be used in formal writing, but it's important to acknowledge the limitations of the approximation. It's most suitable when a more precise measure is unavailable or impractical.

What's the difference between "as a rough proxy" and "as an exact measure"?

"As a rough proxy" indicates an approximation, whereas "as an exact measure" implies precision and accuracy. Use "as a rough proxy" when the value is not perfectly representative but still provides useful information.