is roughly equivalent to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is roughly equivalent to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
This phrase can be used when comparing two things or ideas that have a similar meaning or level of importance, but are not exactly the same. Example: "In this context, the term 'sustainability' is roughly equivalent to 'environmental responsibility'."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

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 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

Two and a half to three milligrams is roughly equivalent to a stiff drink, he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is roughly equivalent to" when precision isn't critical but conveying a general sense of scale, value, or impact is important. This phrase avoids misleading with false accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "is roughly equivalent to" when more precise data is available. Opt for specific figures or metrics to enhance credibility and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is roughly equivalent to" functions as a relational expression, used to establish an approximate equivalence between two distinct entities or concepts. Ludwig examples show it frequently quantifies or qualifies comparisons, indicating similarity without demanding exactness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

30%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is roughly equivalent to" serves to draw a connection that implies approximate similarity or equivalence between two concepts or entities. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency suggests its utility in different kinds of writings. Analysis of its use across authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC demonstrates its versatility. It's important to remember that "roughly" implies a degree of inexactness, so the phrase is best used when precision isn't essential but conveying an overall sense of magnitude or scale is beneficial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is approximately equal to

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", emphasizing a numerical or measurable similarity.

is almost the same as

Uses simpler language to convey near identity, suitable for less formal contexts.

is comparable to

Focuses on the similarity that allows comparison, implying shared characteristics.

is similar to

A general expression of likeness without specifying the degree of similarity.

is on par with

Suggests that something is of equal status or quality.

is in the same ballpark as

An informal expression indicating that figures or values are within the same range.

is akin to

Implies a resemblance or similarity in nature or qualities, often used in more formal writing.

is much like

Highlights a strong similarity between two things, making one easily comparable to the other.

is virtually identical to

Suggests near-perfect similarity, emphasizing that any differences are negligible.

is substantially equivalent to

Used in more technical or legal contexts to indicate that items are alike in critical aspects.

FAQs

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

Use "is roughly equivalent to" to show an approximate comparison between two things. For example, "The cost of the repair is roughly equivalent to the price of a new appliance."

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

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

Is it better to use "is roughly equivalent to" or "is exactly equivalent to"?

"Is roughly equivalent to" implies an approximation, while "is exactly equivalent to" suggests precision. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the relationship between the items being compared.

What's the difference between "is roughly equivalent to" and "is almost the same as"?

"Is roughly equivalent to" is more formal and often used in quantitative comparisons, whereas "is almost the same as" is less formal and suggests a general similarity.