in crude terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in crude terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to simplify a complex idea or concept for easier understanding, often at the risk of oversimplification. Example: "In crude terms, the economy can be described as a system where goods and services are exchanged for money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

In crude terms, that's not the case.

The Guardian

She is, in crude terms, a character actor.

The Guardian - Film

In crude terms, Sausage Party essentially boils down to: Deadpool and Zootopia had a baby.

The Guardian - Film

He has divulged his predilection for oral sex in crude terms on television.

The Guardian

It has, in crude terms, shifted a little to the right and a little down market.

The Guardian

In crude terms: Alice's second trip to Underland wasn't worth the wait.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

John expressed his desire to see a different doctor in cruder terms.

The New York Times - Health

And a guy who drives has a fighting chance — he put this in cruder terms — to make a good impression on the ladies.

The New York Times - Health

In a political environment already kind of dizzy over the incessant state of emergency and history-making decisions, it's not so surprising that any plan that involves any government direction at all can be portrayed by its most avid opponents as an overreach or, in cruder terms, socialism.

The New Yorker

Or, in cruder terms, you cannot ask for a great dollar amount at auction if you haven't put at least as much cash and sweat into making your car worthy.

Forbes

Within 10 minutes the away fans were lustily olé-ing every pass as Fulham dominated possession, and suggesting in somewhat crude terms that the fact that Aleksandar Mitrovic, back in the team after a stomach injury, had a headed effort – however wide it went – reflected poorly on their opponents.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in crude terms" when you need to explain a complex topic quickly, accepting that some nuance may be lost. For example, "In crude terms, inflation is when prices go up."

Common error

Avoid using "in crude terms" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or condescending. Instead, vary your language with phrases like "in simple terms" or "to put it simply".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in crude terms" functions as a discourse marker, specifically an explanatory preface. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signals that the speaker or writer is about to offer a simplified, possibly oversimplified, explanation of a complex topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in crude terms" is a common introductory phrase used to preface a simplified explanation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a discourse marker signaling an intention to clarify complex information. While grammatically correct and versatile, it carries a slightly informal tone and is most frequently found in News & Media. Alternatives such as "in simple terms" or "to put it simply" can provide a more polished tone in formal contexts. Overusing "in crude terms" can be repetitive, so varying language is recommended. As Ludwig's examples show, the phrase is used to explain topics across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in simple terms

Replaces "crude" with "simple", focusing on ease of understanding.

in basic terms

Similar to "in simple terms", emphasizing fundamental aspects.

to put it simply

Emphasizes the act of simplification by the speaker.

to put it bluntly

Highlights directness and lack of refinement in the explanation.

in layman's terms

Targets understanding for a non-expert audience.

in plain English

Focuses on clear and accessible language.

in essence

Conveys the core meaning, omitting details.

basically

A shorter, more informal way to indicate simplification.

essentially

Similar to "in essence", pointing to the fundamental nature.

to break it down

Implies a complex subject is being divided into easier parts.

FAQs

What does "in crude terms" mean?

The phrase "in crude terms" means expressing something in a basic, simplified manner, possibly omitting finer details for the sake of clarity. It's often used to explain complex topics quickly.

How can I use "in crude terms" in a sentence?

You can use "in crude terms" to introduce a simplified explanation. For example, "In crude terms, a black hole is a region of spacetime with such strong gravity that nothing, not even light, can escape from it."

What can I say instead of "in crude terms"?

You can use alternatives like "in simple terms", "to put it simply", or "in layman's terms" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "in crude terms" in formal writing?

While "in crude terms" is generally acceptable, it might be perceived as informal in some formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "in essence" or "essentially" for a more polished tone.