rough comparison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough comparison" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making an approximate or general comparison between two or more items without going into precise details. Example: "In a rough comparison of the two products, the first one seems to offer better value for money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For rough comparison, profits in its 2005 fiscal year, ended on Dec. 31, were $1.5 billion.

The New York Times - Tech

Which brings us to this admittedly rough comparison: Yahoo's market capitalization is now about $35 billion.

The New York Times

Extrapolate that to IndyMac's servicing business as a rough comparison, and it implies a value of roughly $3 billion.

The New York Times

But one rough comparison has found that even if the highest estimates of collateral deaths are accurate, the drones kill fewer civilians than other modes of warfare.

The New York Times

UFJ did not provide equivalent consolidated profit and bad-loan figures from a year earlier but as a rough comparison its main units earned a net profit of 132.2 billion yen in the same quarter last year.

The New York Times

William Hartung, author of the study, said a rough comparison showed this exceeded the number of industry-related appointees in either the Clinton administration or the administration of the first President Bush.

The New York Times

International arrivals to the country rose by 40% between 2000 and 2006, much of which was attributed to "Tolkein tourism" (by way of a rough comparison, Australian arrivals increased by 13% over the same period).

The Economist

If you want a first reaction, how about that of the video producer who was an onlooker in our rough comparison of the Surface Pro and the new iPad Air? "Wow," he said, on picking up Apple's latest revision to the iPad.

The Guardian - Tech

For a rough comparison, the autumn 2011 Eurobarometer, done for the European Commission, found 53 percent of people across the Europe in favor of the single currency, down from 63 percent in the spring of 2007, before the global financial crisis began.

The New York Times

A rough comparison is Niku, public since February, which sells software for managing consultants-for-hire.

Forbes

A rough comparison of specific energy consumption was also evaluated to compare between the photochemical processes.

Desalination

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rough comparison", acknowledge the limitations of the comparison to avoid misleading your audience. For example, state explicitly that the comparison is not precise.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "rough comparison" as a definitive analysis. Clearly indicate that the comparison is approximate and may not reflect precise relationships or values.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough comparison" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to introduce an inexact or preliminary assessment. As shown by Ludwig, it sets the stage for an analysis that doesn't rely on precise data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough comparison" is a commonly used noun phrase that introduces an approximate or general assessment, suitable when precise data is lacking or unnecessary. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, with its usage spanning across various contexts like Science and News & Media. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to acknowledge the limitations of the comparison to avoid misleading interpretations, as it's not a substitute for "detailed analysis". As Ludwig’s analysis suggests, it serves to provide a preliminary or broad understanding rather than a definitive conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate assessment

This alternative focuses on the evaluation aspect, highlighting the inexact nature of the assessment.

general estimate

This alternative emphasizes the estimation aspect, suggesting an overall, non-precise figure.

cursory evaluation

This alternative underscores the superficial nature of the evaluation, implying a quick and not very detailed review.

preliminary assessment

This suggests an initial evaluation done before a more thorough analysis.

quick calculation

This alternative emphasizes the speed and lack of precision in the calculation.

ballpark figure

This alternative uses an idiom to convey a rough, approximate number.

high-level overview

This suggests looking at the big picture without getting into details.

crude approximation

This alternative highlights the lack of refinement in the approximation.

basic estimation

This emphasizes the fundamental and simple nature of the estimation.

informal comparison

Highlights the casual, non-rigorous nature of comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "rough comparison" in a sentence?

You can use "rough comparison" to introduce an approximate comparison between two or more things. For instance, "As a rough comparison, the population of this city is similar to that of a small European country."

What's the difference between "rough comparison" and "detailed analysis"?

"Rough comparison" implies a general, less precise comparison, while "detailed analysis" indicates a thorough and in-depth examination.

What are some alternatives to "rough comparison"?

Alternatives include "approximate assessment", "general estimate", or "cursory evaluation" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use a "rough comparison"?

Use a "rough comparison" when you need to provide a general sense of scale or relationship but lack precise data, or when a detailed analysis is unnecessary.