it is roughly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is roughly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate an approximation or an estimate of a quantity or value. Example: "The project will take it is roughly three months to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other than its size and geographical distribution, it is roughly similar to var.

Wikipedia

In area, it is roughly one-third the size of its southern neighbour, Ukraine.

Britannica

It is roughly triangular in shape.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is roughly egg shaped.

The New Yorker

It is roughly 7.5% of ethanol.

The Journal of Supercritical Fluids

That tells us it is roughly pointing up.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is roughly tilled in if time allows.

Cornell University

It is roughly coextensive with the former county of Périgord.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In area it is roughly two square miles.

The New York Times

Commanding the entrance to Brunei Bay, it is roughly triangular.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At Channel 4 it is roughly half that, at £548.3m.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is roughly" when providing estimates where exact figures are not necessary or available. For example, when describing sizes, distances, or quantities in non-technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it is roughly" when precise data is readily available. Using an approximation when accuracy is possible undermines credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is roughly" functions as an adverbial phrase used to qualify a statement by indicating that it is an approximation rather than an exact figure. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is roughly" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an approximation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic writing, offering a way to convey information without requiring exact precision. While it can be used in various settings, it's important to avoid it when precise data is available, ensuring the accuracy and credibility of the information being conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is approximately

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", indicating a similar level of precision.

it is nearly

Implies the value is only slightly less than the stated amount.

it is about

Offers a more casual and less precise approximation.

it is more or less

Uses a common idiom to express a general equivalence.

it is in the vicinity of

Indicates that the value is close to a certain point, though less direct.

it is close to

Suggests a smaller degree of difference than "roughly".

it is in the neighborhood of

An informal way of saying that something is close to a specific value.

it is estimated to be

Emphasizes that the value is a calculated guess.

it is practically

Highlights that the value is almost at the stated amount.

it is something like

Suggests an analogous comparison, rather than a numerical estimation.

FAQs

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

Use "it is roughly" to indicate an approximate value or quantity. For example, "The distance to the city center, it is roughly three miles".

What's a more formal alternative to "it is roughly"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "it is approximately" or "it is estimated to be".

Is "it is roughly" suitable for scientific writing?

While acceptable, "it is roughly" may be too informal for strict scientific writing. Precise measurements and statistical analyses are generally preferred in scientific contexts, though it can be used for initial estimations.

What is the difference between "it is roughly" and "it is exactly"?

"It is roughly" indicates an approximation, while "it is exactly" denotes a precise and accurate value. They are antonyms.