provide roughly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provide roughly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to give an approximate amount or estimate of something. Example: "We can provide roughly 100 units of the product by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The Americans plan to provide roughly two-thirds of that.

The New York Times

The state could provide roughly $60,000 in additional grant money.

The New York Times

Fulfilling this mandate will require significant investment, far beyond what an individual can provide, roughly a hundred times Milner's investment.

The Guardian - Opinion

If they go to a community college, the state will provide roughly $1,500 for books and living expenses.

The New York Times

Thanks to foreign friends, who also provide roughly one-quarter of his budget, Mr Kagame won the seat.

The Economist

If only 10% of Britain were covered then wind could provide roughly a tenth of total demand.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Lexents clients include telecommunications service providers, one of which, Level 3 Communications lvlt, provided roughly one-quarter of its 1999 revenues.* A healthy sign: More than 80% of the company's revenues were from repeat business.

Forbes

The US provides roughly half of food aid globally at an estimated annual cost of $2bn.

The Guardian

Mexico, which provided roughly 12percentt, was not far behind the second- and third-leading suppliers, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

The New York Times

The US provides roughly 50% of food aid globally at an estimated annual cost of $2bn.

The Guardian

The United States is the fund's largest supporter, providing roughly a third of its budget.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provide roughly" when you need to indicate an estimated or approximate amount, avoiding the implication of exactness. It is suitable when precision is not critical, or the exact figure is not yet known.

Common error

Avoid using "provide roughly" when you have exact figures. Using it in such cases undermines your credibility and suggests uncertainty where none exists. Provide precise data when available; use approximations only when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide roughly" functions as a qualifier to the verb provide, indicating that the quantity or amount being provided is an approximation rather than an exact figure. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples from Ludwig show diverse contexts, all maintaining this core function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provide roughly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating an approximate amount or estimate. As supported by Ludwig AI, it is suitable across various contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferable in professional or academic writing. Its function is to qualify the verb provide, acknowledging that the information presented is not precise. When writing, remember to use "provide roughly" only when an approximation is intended, and avoid it when exact figures are available to maintain clarity and credibility. Always adapt your language based on register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supply approximately

Replaces "provide" with "supply" and "roughly" with "approximately", offering a more formal tone.

offer about

Substitutes "provide" with "offer" and "roughly" with "about", simplifying the language.

give around

Replaces "provide" with "give" and "roughly" with "around", creating a more casual expression.

furnish in the vicinity of

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and precise equivalent, suitable for technical contexts.

allocate in the neighborhood of

Focuses on allocation rather than general provision, adding a nuance of distribution.

estimate to be

Shifts the focus to estimation rather than direct provision, emphasizing the approximation.

approximate to

More focused on the approximation itself and less on the act of providing

serve in the region of

Implies service within an approximate range, suitable when describing quantities of services.

dispense in the ballpark of

Emphasizes dispensing or distributing, with "in the ballpark of" adding an informal sense of approximation.

yield close to

Used when referring to results or production, indicating an approximate yield.

FAQs

How can I use "provide roughly" in a sentence?

You can use "provide roughly" to indicate an approximate amount or estimate. For example, "The company can "provide roughly" 500 units per month" suggests an estimated production capacity.

What can I say instead of "provide roughly"?

You can use alternatives like "supply approximately", "offer about", or "give around" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "provide roughly" in formal writing?

While "provide roughly" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "supply approximately" or "estimate to be" might be more suitable for formal or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "provide roughly" and "provide exactly"?

"Provide roughly" indicates an approximation, while "provide exactly" implies precision. Use "provide roughly" when the amount is an estimate and "provide exactly" when the amount is precise and confirmed.