rough estimate for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough estimate for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing an approximate calculation or assessment regarding a specific subject or item. Example: "We need a rough estimate for the project costs before we can proceed with the planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Many billions of dollars is our rough estimate for the size of the market".

The New York Times - Tech

Experts said that figure might provide a rough estimate for those traumatized by the New York and Pentagon attacks.

The New York Times

To give you a sense of the parameters, this tool calculates a rough estimate for building a mobile app.

The Guardian

"There's a rough estimate for every multi-celled animal species in the ocean, there's at least one species of parasite that is specialised upon that host.

The Guardian

Ordered structures in a constant-porosity material are commonly assumed, yielding a rough estimate for the tortousity factor and the effective diffusivity.

Chemical Engineering Science

The best rough estimate for a long-term impact of the ban, researcher Chris Koper suggested, might be a 1% reduction in shootings, or 650 fewer people shot per year.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Caption appearance times are rough estimates for when the captions appeared on screen.

The Washington Post

A top Amtrak official, Stephen Gardner, stood nearby outlining the scope of the Gateway program and rough estimates for the cost and timeline for the plans.

The New York Times

Even though the S.E.C. has not approved the rule, that doesn't mean we can't calculate rough estimates for C.E.O.

The New York Times

Using symmetry classification of vortex charge and rough estimates for vortex interactions, one can show that some configurations that are stable at zero temperature can decay at finite temperatures by crossing over energy barriers.

Harvard University

We only have rough estimates for total vote, but using the U.S. Election Atlas's tallies for the Republican and Democratic contests, the totals are 28.9 million and 29 million, respectively.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rough estimate for", clarify the factors and assumptions used to arrive at the estimate to ensure transparency and provide context.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "rough estimate for" as a definitive value. Emphasize its approximate nature to prevent misunderstanding and misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough estimate for" functions as a qualifier, specifying the nature of the estimate as approximate rather than precise. Ludwig examples show its role in introducing non-definitive figures across various fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough estimate for" is a common and acceptable way to introduce an approximate calculation or assessment. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including science, news, and general discussions. When using this phrase, it's important to clarify the basis for the estimate and avoid presenting it as a definitive value. Alternatives such as "ballpark figure for" or "approximate calculation for" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ballpark figure for

Replaces "rough estimate" with a more informal, yet widely understood, term.

approximate calculation for

Substitutes "rough estimate" with a more formal and explicit term.

preliminary assessment of

Shifts the focus to an initial evaluation rather than a precise estimation.

tentative valuation of

Implies a provisional and subject-to-change evaluation.

crude approximation of

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the estimation.

general idea about

Offers a broad and less specific understanding of a quantity.

back-of-the-envelope calculation for

Highlights the informality and quick nature of the estimation.

high-level forecast of

Focuses on a forecast with limited detail.

guesstimate for

Combines "guess" and "estimate", implying a lack of certainty.

indicative figure for

Highlights that the figure provided is merely indicative and not precise.

FAQs

How can I use "rough estimate for" in a sentence?

Use "rough estimate for" when you want to provide an approximate value or calculation. For example, "We need a "rough estimate for" the project costs before we can proceed with the planning".

What can I say instead of "rough estimate for"?

You can use alternatives like "approximate calculation for", "ballpark figure for", or "preliminary assessment of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "rough estimate for"?

It is appropriate to use "rough estimate for" when you need to provide an initial or approximate value, especially when precise data is unavailable or unnecessary. It's suitable for preliminary discussions, quick planning, or when communicating approximate figures.

What does "rough estimate for" imply about the accuracy of a number?

Using "rough estimate for" suggests that the number is not precise and should be considered an approximation. It indicates that the figure is based on limited data or simplified calculations, and further refinement may be needed for critical decisions.