is roughly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is roughly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximation or an estimate of a value or situation. Example: "The population of the city is roughly 1 million people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Transportation spending is roughly flat.

The New York Times

The cost is roughly the same.

Independent

Today that figure is roughly 5 percent.

The New York Times

The island is roughly triangular in shape.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The turnaround for each is roughly similar.

The New York Times

Dinner for two is roughly $60.

The New York Times - Travel

Its current account is roughly in balance.

The Economist

This is, roughly, the psychoanalytic view.

The New Yorker

The line-up is roughly as predicted.

The Economist

That is roughly half of its capacity.

The Economist

Midtown Manhattan is roughly 25 minutes away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is roughly" to provide an estimate when an exact figure isn't necessary or available. This adds a degree of flexibility and avoids the need for precise data.

Common error

Avoid using "is roughly" when precision is required. If you have access to exact figures, use them instead of approximations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is roughly" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or adjective, indicating an approximate value or state. As seen in Ludwig examples, it clarifies that the information provided is not exact but close to the actual value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is roughly" is a versatile phrase used to indicate approximations or estimations. As shown by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. When exact figures aren't necessary or available, using "is roughly" allows for flexibility. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard grammar rules and its proper usage involves understanding when precision isn't crucial and an estimation suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is approximately

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", maintaining the same meaning of estimation.

is nearly

Substitutes "roughly" with "nearly", suggesting a close approximation.

is about

Uses "about" to indicate an approximate quantity, simplifying the phrase.

is close to

Indicates that a value is near or approaching a certain amount.

is more or less

Uses a compound phrase to express approximation or a general similarity.

approximates to

Expresses that something is similar or equivalent to a value, albeit not exact.

is in the neighborhood of

Employs a more descriptive expression to convey an approximate amount.

is in the vicinity of

Similar to "is in the neighborhood of" but slightly more formal.

is of the order of

Implies an estimation within a certain magnitude or scale.

is something like

Informally suggests an approximation or resemblance.

FAQs

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

Use "is roughly" to indicate an approximate value or state. For example, "The cost "is roughly" the same" suggests an estimated equality without being precise.

What alternatives can I use instead of "is roughly"?

Alternatives include "is approximately", "is about", or "is nearly", depending on the context and the degree of precision you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is roughly" or "is exactly"?

"Is roughly" indicates an approximation, while "is exactly" indicates precision. Use "is roughly" when you're estimating and "is exactly" when you're stating a precise value.

What's the difference between "is roughly" and "is precisely"?

"Is roughly" suggests an estimate or a value that is close but not exact, while "is precisely" indicates an exact and accurate measurement or value. They are antonyms in this context.