it takes roughly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it takes roughly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when estimating the time, effort, or resources required for a task or process. Example: "It takes roughly two hours to complete the project from start to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It takes roughly seven or eight minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

It takes roughly 40 minutes before the train weaves through Lower Manhattan.

The New York Times

It takes roughly four seconds to join Veggietrader, and it's free.

The New York Times - Food

It takes roughly six hours and is far more pleasant and less trouble than flying.

The New York Times

With one dollar now worth 1,500 dinars, it takes roughly 10,000 dinars to buy that same paperback.

The New York Times - Books

It takes roughly 12 weeks, once a plan has been approved, to make and deliver a kitchen.

The New York Times

It takes roughly 3,000 litres to grow enough food for one person for one day, or about one litre for each calorie.

The Economist

Analysts at Credit Suisse, a bank, reckon it takes roughly 25,000 yuan $4,0300) a year to raise a young child.

The Economist

… It takes roughly two days to make a mouse's organs transparent and one week more to make a mouse fully see-through.

The New Yorker

It takes roughly 3000 litres of water to grow enough for one person for one day, or about a litre for each calorie.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When you've finished what's on the plate, wait 20 minutes before going back for more--it takes roughly that long for your brain to realize you are actually full.[3].

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it takes roughly", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it takes roughly" when you have precise data available. Overusing approximations can undermine your credibility if accuracy is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it takes roughly" functions as an introductory phrase, setting the stage for an estimation. It introduces an approximate measure of time, effort, or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms the appropriateness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it takes roughly" is a common and grammatically sound way to provide an approximation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and wiki sources. The phrase functions as an introductory element for estimations, conveying information without demanding precise accuracy. While alternatives like "it requires approximately" exist for more formal settings, "it takes roughly" remains a versatile choice for expressing estimated quantities, durations, or efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it requires approximately

Replaces "takes roughly" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the approximate sense.

it needs about

Uses "needs" instead of "takes" and "about" to convey approximation, making it slightly less formal.

it generally requires

Emphasizes the general nature of the requirement, similar to "roughly".

it typically takes

Highlights the typical duration or amount needed, similar to the idea of "roughly".

it usually requires

Similar to 'typically takes', but with a different adverb.

it's estimated to need

Expresses an estimation of what is needed, conveying a less precise figure.

an estimated duration of

Focuses on duration instead of action, suitable for describing time.

it approximates to

Uses "approximates" as the verb to indicate an estimated value.

it's in the neighborhood of

An idiom expressing that an amount is close to an estimate.

it's ballparked at

An informal way of saying that an estimate is given.

FAQs

What does "it takes roughly" mean?

The phrase "it takes roughly" means approximately or about. It's used to indicate an estimated amount of time, effort, or resources needed for something.

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

You can use "it takes roughly" when you want to provide an estimation. For example, "It takes roughly two hours to drive from New York to Philadelphia."

What can I say instead of "it takes roughly"?

You can use alternatives like "it requires approximately", "it needs about", or "it generally requires" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "it takes roughly" formal or informal?

The phrase "it takes roughly" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "it requires approximately" may be preferred in highly formal writing.