it roughly approximates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it roughly approximates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an estimate or a close representation of a value or concept. Example: "The model's output is not exact, but it roughly approximates the expected results based on previous data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It roughly approximates to the number of breeding individuals that produce offspring that live to reproductive age during the sampled time period, which is typically a value much smaller than the actual census size (N) of the population (Ne/N∼0.11; see [135]).

Plosone

It roughly approximates a p-value of less than 0.05 (equal to a 1 in 20 likelihood that the finding was due to chance alone) when doing one million comparisons.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For the gradient magnitude, it can be roughly approximated as such: M=left|{G}_xright|+left|{G}_yright| (6).

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Though k sp is very complicated due to the surface roughness of the nanorod thin film, it can be roughly approximated by the form of the SP wave on a plane, k sp ≈ ω c ε rod ε g ε rod + ε g, (2).

Nanoscale Research Letters

In practice, ωSV(p) roughly approximates the mean curvature at p: when its value is close to zero it indicates that the surface is locally planar, while, when ωSV(p) is large, p identifies an interesting feature like corners, bumps, etc.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Emmy the Great's sound roughly approximates that of the British folk revival of the nineteen-sixties, though with more verses.

The New Yorker

Using hurdles and cones as a boundary, he roughly approximates a curve in one end zone so that Sylve and his teammates can run 200-meter repeats.

The New York Times - Sports

"There is a lack of competition and critical evaluation in Japan," said Ikuo Kushiro, director of the Institute of Frontier Research of Earth Evolution, a former vice president of Tokyo University, whose role in this highly centralized country roughly approximates that of Harvard, Stanford and M.I.T. combined.

The New York Times

The book roughly approximates the experience of sitting across from Willie Brown over a long breakfast, refilling one's coffee as he works his way through the tall tales and tangents that made him one of the great machinators of his age.

The New York Times - Books

The format roughly approximates a Protestant service, but to the old hymn tunes, Unitarians sing lyrics by freethinkers of the last two centuries: in a slightly surreal moment, one, "Forward to the future", is sung to the tune more usually used for "Onward, Christian soldiers".

The Guardian - Opinion

Conversely, there is something profoundly dissatisfying, and a little bit demoralising, in acknowledging that most people will never accept many of ones' most ardently-held convictions, and that, therefore, none of us will ever get to live in a society that closely matches, or even roughly approximates, our beloved ideals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it roughly approximates" when you want to convey an estimate that is not exact but close enough for the purpose at hand. This is useful in situations where precise measurements are difficult or unnecessary.

Common error

Avoid using "it roughly approximates" when you have precise data available. Using an approximation when exact figures exist can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it roughly approximates" serves as a qualifying statement, indicating that the subsequent information is an approximation, not an exact value. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in English writing. This use softens the assertion, conveying that the information is an estimate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it roughly approximates" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating an estimation or a close representation. According to Ludwig AI, it conveys that something is not exact. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating its applicability in both technical and general communication. While not extremely frequent, its consistent usage across reputable sources, as found by Ludwig, suggests that it is a reliable and appropriate way to express approximations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it approximates

A more concise version of the original phrase, removing the adverb "roughly".

it closely estimates

Emphasizes a slightly more precise form of estimation compared to a rough approximation.

it comes close to

Focuses on the closeness of the approximation.

it nearly equals

Highlights a near equivalence, suggesting a close but not exact match.

it more or less equals

Uses a colloquial term to indicate a non-precise equivalence.

it virtually mirrors

Suggests a very high degree of similarity, almost replicating the original.

it is on the order of

Expresses magnitude or scale.

it is in the vicinity of

Indicates a general area or range of values, rather than a specific number.

it is in the neighborhood of

Similar to 'vicinity', suggesting an approximate range.

it gives a ballpark figure

Implies a very general estimate, suitable when precision is not critical.

FAQs

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

You can use "it roughly approximates" when you want to express an estimation or a close representation of a value. For example: "The model's output is not exact, but "it roughly approximates" the expected results based on previous data."

What phrases are similar to "it roughly approximates"?

Alternatives to "it roughly approximates" include "it closely estimates", "it nearly equals", or "it virtually mirrors", depending on the desired level of precision and context.

When is it appropriate to use "it roughly approximates" instead of a precise value?

Use "it roughly approximates" when a precise value is not available, is difficult to calculate, or is unnecessary for the context. It's suitable for conveying a general sense of scale or magnitude.

Is "it roughly approximates" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, "it roughly approximates" is generally acceptable in academic writing, especially when discussing estimations or models. However, ensure that the level of precision is appropriate for the field and that the approximation is justified. If higher precision is possible, it's better to provide it.