be roughly equivalent to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be roughly equivalent to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two things that are similar in value, meaning, or function but not identical. Example: "In terms of nutritional value, a cup of quinoa can be roughly equivalent to a cup of brown rice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That would be roughly equivalent to current imports from Kuwait.

The New York Times

That would be roughly equivalent to about 15 percent of current domestic production capacity, he estimated.

The New York Times

The aim is to create a product that, when consumed, will be roughly equivalent to a single dose of alcohol.

The Guardian

The reduction in annual greenhouse-gas emissions would be roughly equivalent to taking all the cars off America's roads.

The Economist

The federal court found the arbitration proceedings to be roughly equivalent to a civil trial, using the same judges, location, and proceedings with secrecy being the only distinction.

Harvard University

A high grade will be roughly equivalent to a recommendation from us that you continue to pursue your work and submit it to a conference for publication.

Stanford University

That many viewers would be roughly equivalent to about $1.8 million in ticket sales at the box office, a solid showing for an independent film.

The New York Times

A "Chinchilla" pared to the length and proportions of Gian Carlo Menotti's "Telephone," one imagines, might be roughly equivalent to that opera in comedic and musical content.

The New York Times - Arts

The reduced bromate was considered to be roughly equivalent to the amount of bromide in effluent, indicating that bromate was completely reduced to bromide without accumulation of by-products.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

Mr. Pataki vigorously denied the accusations, saying New York City's share of all state school aid had risen during his eight years in office to be roughly equivalent to its share of students, about 37percentt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Grebow said the signal coverage from the 2,000-foot 2,000-footoposed for Bantenna about 3.5 miles southwest of Manhattan, would be "'roughly equivalent" to that from the old World Trade Center antennas, which rose to 1,750 feet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be roughly equivalent to" when you want to indicate that two things are similar in value, quantity, or effect, without implying precise equality. It is suitable for situations where an approximation is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "be roughly equivalent to" when you need to express an exact equivalence. Using "be equal to" or "be the same as" is more appropriate when precision is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be roughly equivalent to" functions as a relational phrase, connecting two entities and indicating that they share an approximate level of value, quantity, or effect. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

32%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be roughly equivalent to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an approximate equivalence between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms this and shows that it's widely used in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's important to consider whether exact precision is required, in which case phrases like "be equal to" or "be the same as" would be more suitable. Always ensure your word choice aligns with the intended level of precision and formality for clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be approximately equal to

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", indicating a similar level of precision in the comparison.

be nearly the same as

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of close similarity but not exact equality.

be comparable to

Focuses on the comparability aspect, suggesting similarities worth noting even if not precisely measured.

be more or less equal to

Emphasizes a lack of exactness with "more or less", similar to "roughly".

be in the same ballpark as

An idiomatic expression suggesting the values are close within an acceptable range.

be on par with

Implies a similar level or standard, often used in contexts of performance or quality.

be of a similar magnitude to

More formal, highlighting a similarity in size or extent.

be in the vicinity of

Suggests an approximate value, focusing on nearness rather than direct equivalence.

be not far off from

Informal and emphasizes that the values are close but not identical.

bear comparison with

Emphasizes that there are enough similarities to warrant a comparison, though not necessarily equality.

FAQs

How can I use "be roughly equivalent to" in a sentence?

You can use "be roughly equivalent to" to show that two things have approximately the same value or effect. For example: "The cost of the repair will "be roughly equivalent to" the price of a new one".

What are some alternatives to "be roughly equivalent to"?

Some alternatives include "be approximately equal to", "be nearly the same as", or "be comparable to", depending on the context.

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

Yes, it's acceptable in formal writing when you want to express an approximation or a similarity that doesn't require exact precision. However, consider whether a more precise term like "be approximately equal to" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "be roughly equivalent to" and "be exactly the same as"?

"Be roughly equivalent to" implies an approximation or a similarity that isn't precise, while "be exactly the same as" indicates a complete and precise equality. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of similarity you want to convey.