is roughly equal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is roughly equal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two quantities or values that are similar but not exactly the same. Example: "The length of the table is roughly equal to the width of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That is roughly equal to a normal month's growth.

The Guardian - Opinion

That amount is roughly equal to Japan's annual carbon emissions.

Nature

In Guatemala (which is roughly equal in size to Tennessee), 23 indigenous languages are spoken today.

Cornell University

Twenty minutes of moderate activity is roughly equal to 10 minutes of vigorous activity.

Harvard University

The sum is roughly equal to six months of current government revenues.

The New York Times

Tokyo is home to nearly 38 million people: this is roughly equal to, say, 38 Birminghams.

The Guardian

Looking around, I notice that the gender split is roughly equal too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After 30... Qe5, if 31 Rg6 Qg3 32 Rg3 Rh4, the position is roughly equal.

The New York Times

By fitting procedure, we find that RU is roughly equal, at FT, to RS.

Nature

That is roughly equal to the total annual beer consumption of the U.S.

The Washington Post

The sum is roughly equal to Ireland's entire health budget, to put it in perspective.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is roughly equal", ensure that the level of approximation is acceptable for the context. Avoid using it when precise equality is required.

Common error

Avoid using "is roughly equal" when the values are significantly different. This can mislead the reader and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is roughly equal" functions as a comparative term, indicating that two quantities or values are similar but not identical. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is commonly used to express approximation rather than precise equality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

25%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is roughly equal" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate an approximate equality or similarity between two values or concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted across various domains, including news, academia, and science. When using the phrase, it's essential to ensure that the level of approximation is appropriate for the context and to avoid overstating the similarity when significant differences exist. Alternatives such as "is approximately equivalent" or "is about the same as" can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the desired level of formality. The phrase serves the purpose of providing an estimate or comparison when exact figures are not critical, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is approximately equivalent

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately" and "equal" with "equivalent", maintaining a similar level of precision.

is more or less equal to

Adds emphasis to the approximate nature of the equality.

is close to

A simple and direct way of stating that two values are near each other.

is about the same as

Uses simpler language to express the similarity, suitable for more informal contexts.

is nearly identical to

Suggests a very high degree of similarity, almost but not quite the same.

is in the same ballpark as

An idiomatic expression indicating that the values are close in magnitude.

is on par with

Implies a level of equivalence, often used in comparing performance or quality.

is of a similar magnitude to

A more formal way of expressing that the sizes or amounts are comparable.

approximates

A more concise way of saying that one value is close to another.

bears comparison with

Suggests that the two things are similar enough to be compared directly.

FAQs

What does "is roughly equal" mean?

The phrase "is roughly equal" indicates that two values or quantities are similar but not exactly the same. It implies an approximation.

When is it appropriate to use "is roughly equal"?

Use "is roughly equal" when you want to convey that two quantities are close but not identical. It's suitable when a precise comparison isn't necessary or available.

What can I say instead of "is roughly equal"?

You can use alternatives like "is approximately equivalent", "is about the same as", or "is nearly identical to" depending on the context.

How does "is roughly equal" differ from "is exactly equal"?

"Is roughly equal" implies an approximation, while "is exactly equal" indicates that two values are precisely the same. The choice depends on the level of precision required.