contains roughly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contains roughly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing an approximate quantity or measurement of something. Example: "The container contains roughly 500 milliliters of liquid."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A barrel of crude oil contains roughly 42 gallons.

The New York Times

Kemerovo is situated on a basin which contains roughly 1/4 of the world's coal supplies.

The New Yorker

A hot cup of coffee contains roughly five hundred volatile chemicals.

The New Yorker

Each kilo contains roughly the energy of one gallon of gas.

The New York Times

Along with space — the largest apartment, asking price $15 million, contains roughly 3,400 square feet — residents can buy pampering.

The New York Times

The draft contains roughly the same destruction deadlines in a Russian-American deal brokered earlier this month.

The Guardian

White noise is analogous to white light, which contains roughly equal intensities of all frequencies of visible light.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The resulting product contains roughly 85 percent air and 15 percent rubber and can be molded and vulcanized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When the city redraws its lines after every census, it must ensure that all districts contains roughly the same number of people.

The New York Times

It is formally known as the Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature, and it contains roughly 150,000 items.

The New Yorker

Brodsky produced a large body of work in Russian (he was exiled in 1972) and the Collected Poems in English contains roughly a third of his oeuvre.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contains roughly", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being estimated. For example, specify the units of measurement to avoid ambiguity: "The solution contains roughly 20 grams of salt".

Common error

Avoid using "contains roughly" when the quantity is known precisely. Using an approximation when exact figures are available can undermine credibility. If you know the exact amount, state it directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contains roughly" functions as a quantifying expression, providing an approximate measure of the contents of something. As supported by Ludwig, it adds a level of imprecision to a statement, indicating that the amount is not exact but close to the stated value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contains roughly" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate an approximate quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially in science and news reporting. When using "contains roughly", ensure clarity by specifying units and avoid overstating precision. Consider alternatives like "contains approximately" or "holds about" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contains approximately

Indicates a close, but not exact, quantity.

holds about

Expresses an estimated quantity held within something.

includes around

Signifies an approximate inclusion or composition.

encompasses nearly

Suggests an approximate scope or coverage.

is in the vicinity of

Indicates a quantity that is near a certain value.

approximates to

Implies a mathematical approximation or similarity.

is estimated at

Indicates that a quantity is judged to be near a specific value.

is in the neighborhood of

A more informal way to express approximation.

accounts for almost

Suggests that something makes up a significant portion, close to a certain amount.

is close to

Expresses proximity in quantity or value.

FAQs

How can I use "contains roughly" in a sentence?

Use "contains roughly" to indicate an estimated or approximate amount of something. For example, "The recipe contains roughly two cups of flour."

What can I say instead of "contains roughly"?

You can use alternatives like "contains approximately", "holds about", or "includes around" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "contains roughly" in formal writing?

Yes, "contains roughly" is acceptable in formal writing when precision is not critical or when providing an estimate is sufficient. However, consider using more precise language if exact figures are available.

What's the difference between "contains roughly" and "contains exactly"?

"Contains roughly" indicates an approximation, while "contains exactly" denotes a precise amount. Use "contains roughly" when you're estimating, and "contains exactly" when you're stating a precise measurement.