is roughly equivalent

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A euro is roughly equivalent to a dollar.

The New York Times - Food

The term is roughly equivalent to the term sandstone (q.v.).

Britannica

The rise is roughly equivalent to the UK's average salary.

Independent

The wings of the PSF is roughly equivalent to that of the observed.

Harvard University

That is roughly equivalent to the price of a vintage MGB sports car.

The New York Times

It is roughly equivalent to the U.S. taking in thirteen million refugees.

The New Yorker

A unit is roughly equivalent to one small glass of wine.

The Guardian

It is roughly equivalent to the gross domestic product of Ecuador.

The New York Times

That is roughly equivalent on an annual basis to the other drugs.

The New York Times

That is roughly equivalent to where Chrysler's debt is trading on the public markets today.

The New York Times

The figure is roughly equivalent to the total number of voters in 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider whether a more precise term is appropriate. While "is roughly equivalent" is acceptable, greater precision enhances credibility in technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is roughly equivalent" when a stronger statement of equality is warranted. In situations where precise data is available, using "is exactly equivalent" or stating the specific relationship is more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is roughly equivalent" functions as a comparative expression. It serves to indicate that two entities, concepts, or values share an approximate or near-equal relationship. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is roughly equivalent" is a versatile expression used to convey approximate equality or similarity between two entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It's frequently found in news media, scientific literature, and academic writing, indicating its broad acceptability. While effective for establishing a general comparison, it's important to ensure the context clarifies the basis of equivalence. For situations demanding higher precision, alternatives like "is approximately equal to" or "is about the same as" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is approximately equal to

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", suggesting a more precise, though still not exact, equivalence.

is about the same as

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of approximate equality.

is more or less equal to

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the equivalence.

is in the same ballpark as

An idiomatic expression indicating an approximate similarity in magnitude or value.

is comparable to

Focuses on the similarity between two things, implying they are alike in some respect.

is similar to

A more general term indicating resemblance without necessarily implying equality.

is on a par with

Suggests that two things are of equal standing or quality.

is of the same order of magnitude as

Used to compare quantities that are close in size, especially in scientific contexts.

is roughly analogous to

Implies a similarity in function or relationship rather than strict equality.

is broadly comparable to

Highlights that the comparison is valid in general terms, despite potential differences in details.

FAQs

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

You can use "is roughly equivalent" to compare two things that have similar meanings or values, but are not exactly the same. For example, "In terms of nutritional value, a cup of quinoa "is roughly equivalent" to a cup of brown rice."

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

You can use alternatives like "is approximately equal to", "is about the same as", or "is comparable to" depending on the context.

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

The choice between "is roughly equivalent" and "is exactly equivalent" depends on the precision of the comparison. Use "is exactly equivalent" when the two things are identical in value or meaning. Use "is roughly equivalent" when they are similar but not identical.

What's the difference between "is roughly equivalent" and "is similar to"?

"Is roughly equivalent" implies a degree of measurable or quantifiable similarity, while "is similar to" suggests a more general resemblance. Equivalence indicates a closer relationship than similarity.