rough date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough date" can be used in written English.
It is usually used to mean a general timeframe or an approximate timeframe. For example, "We haven't determined an exact date yet, but we have a rough date in mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The archivist has assigned each run a rough date span.

Cornell University

However, this only gave them a rough date around 3-7 February.

Independent

They have set a rough date for the beginning and end of the universe; they have released nuclear energy.

The New Yorker

Perhaps we don't need to answer that for a while; a rough date for the trial hasn't even been set.

The New Yorker

He put Aug. 2 as the rough date on which those expedients would have run their course.

The New York Times

Each man fills in a form with his name and rough date of birth, or gets someone who can read to do it for him.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

As soon as you have a budget and some rough dates for travelling, read up on your destination and all the different ways you can get there.

The Guardian - Travel

The genetic evidence is still under development, however, and because only very rough dates can be derived from it, it is hard to weave evidence from DNA, archaeology, history and linguistics into a coherent picture of British and Irish origins.

The New York Times - Science

And, despite an investigation by Sir Robin Bosher, national director for quality and inspection training at Ofsted, concluding that the three schools overseen by De Souza could merely have estimated as to the rough dates of inspections, such guesswork was surprisingly accurate.

The Guardian

We're working with a search engine, remember, so it would help greatly if you could give us: Search terms Rough dates (the main archive runs from 2005 to Feb 2010) The likely embassy involved ( eg 'Moscow', or 'Kampala') So you might say @gdncables Oil Spills June 2003 Angola.

The Guardian

We're working with a search engine, remember, so it would help greatly if you could give us: - Search terms - Rough dates (the main archive runs from 2005 to Feb 2010) - The likely embassy involved ( eg 'Moscow', or 'Kampala') So you might say @gdncables Oil Spills June 2003 Angola Our resources aren't infinite - but we'll do our best, so please be a *little* patient!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rough date", ensure the context clarifies the level of approximation. For instance, specify if it's within a week, month, or year to provide better clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid treating a "rough date" as a fixed deadline. A "rough date" is an estimate, not a commitment. Misinterpreting it can lead to planning errors and unmet expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough date" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, providing an estimation or approximation of a specific time. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signifies a general timeframe rather than an exact point in time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rough date" is a phrase used to indicate an approximate or estimated timeframe. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and typically employed when a specific date isn't available or necessary. While acceptable in various contexts, including news and academic writing, more precise language might be favored in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "approximate date" or "estimated date" can be used for increased formality. Remember that a "rough date" is not a commitment but an estimate, which is crucial to convey clearly to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Approximate date

Replaces "rough" with "approximate", maintaining the same meaning of an estimated date.

Estimated date

Substitutes "rough" with "estimated", suggesting a date calculated based on available information.

General timeframe

Replaces "rough date" with a more general term indicating an approximate period.

Tentative date

Uses "tentative" instead of "rough", implying the date is subject to change.

Preliminary date

Replaces "rough" with "preliminary", suggesting an initial or provisional date.

Provisional date

Similar to 'preliminary date', it implies date can be modified later.

Ballpark date

Replaces "rough" with "ballpark", meaning a date that is only roughly accurate.

Around that time

Replaces the specific concept of a 'date' with a less precise temporal reference.

In the vicinity of

Uses a spatial metaphor to indicate an approximate time.

Give or take a few days

Highlights the uncertainty and potential variation around the date.

FAQs

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

You can use "rough date" to indicate an estimated timeframe, for example: "We have a "rough date" for the project completion, but it's subject to change".

What can I say instead of "rough date"?

Alternatives include "approximate date", "estimated date", or "tentative date" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "rough date" in formal writing?

While "rough date" is generally acceptable, using more formal terms like "approximate date" or "estimated date" may be more suitable for formal or professional contexts.

How does "rough date" differ from "specific date"?

"Rough date" implies an imprecise timeframe, while "specific date" indicates an exact day. For example, "The "rough date" is sometime in June," versus "The specific date is June 15th".