rough formulation

USAGE SUMMARY

"rough formulation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing an initial or imprecise version of an idea or concept. For example, "This is a rough formulation of our project proposal." Alternative expressions include "preliminary version" and "tentative outline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Though reliable projections on the potential of Africa's tech wearables market are hard to find, Garmin follows a rough formulation for countries based on mobile networks.

TechCrunch

Although important, Kant's notion of moral worth must be understood in the context of the Groundwork I argument from the idea of an unconditionally good will to the first, rough formulation of the categorical imperative.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Postponing discussion of its precise logical status for Leibowitz, and provisionally accepting that "God is radically transcendent" is a cognitive statement, a rough first formulation of its meaning would be that God is an existent entity that is absolutely incomparable to any other form of reality that we can possibly encounter.

SEP

Visual examination of the SEM pictures indicated that the films were essentially smooth, with a slightly rougher surface for formulation F3.

BioMed Research International

First, we extend previous results obtained by Capitaine, Donati-Martin and Victoir in Lyonsʼs original formulation of rough paths theory.

Journal of Functional Analysis

(This is a rough sketch of the supervenience formulation of physicalism. For more see Stoljar 2015).

SEP

The scanning electron micrograph of the final sets of micropellets presented in Figure 5 showed that all the formulations produced rounded, rough pellets which could be defined to be purely spherical.

BioMed Research International

A new boundary element formulation for line contacts of rough surfaces is formulated to compute the multi-axial stress fields, taking into account the influences of surface roughness topography on localized stress concentrations.

International Journal of Fatigue

This formulation of hedonism is rough, since hedonists often allow for the intrinsic goodness and badness of things other than, but containing, pleasure and pain (things such as lives and worlds, for example).

SEP

These included more representative ground-based vegetation greenness and local leaf area index values as well as modifications to the coefficients of the soil resistance formulation to account for the very rough (rocky) soil surface conditions with a clumped canopy.

Remote Sensing of Environment

Furthermore, rough source terms are captured via auxiliary correction equations that appear in the formulation of variational multiscale methods [23].

Advances in Water Resources

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, pairing this phrase with specific theories or imperatives (e.g., 'a rough formulation of the law') is an effective way to transition from a general concept to a detailed analysis.

Common error

Do not confuse "rough formulation" (meaning an imprecise statement) with technical descriptions of physical properties. For example, in mechanical engineering, a 'formulation for rough surfaces' refers to the mathematical modeling of physical texture, not the lack of precision in the model itself. Be mindful of whether 'rough' modifies the word 'formulation' or the subject matter within the formulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough formulation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'rough' acts as a qualifier for the noun 'formulation'. Based on examples from Ludwig, it serves to categorize a statement or theory as being in a state of development or approximation rather than being final and precise.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

35%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough formulation" is a useful tool for writers who need to present ideas that are not yet fully solidified. According to data from Ludwig, while the exact two-word phrase is relatively rare compared to more generic terms, it carries significant weight in Science, Academia and high-quality journalism. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent use in philosophical discussions, such as those regarding Kant's work, where a "rough formulation" serves as the foundation for a more rigorous argument. It effectively communicates a balance between conceptual clarity and intellectual humility, signaling that while the core idea is present, the precise details remain subject to change. Writers should use it to foster collaboration and invite feedback during the early stages of a project or theory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial draft

Refers specifically to a written document rather than a conceptual statement

first iteration

Implies a process of repeated refinement where this is the first step

tentative proposal

Implies the idea is subject to approval or change

preliminary conceptualization

More academic and formal way to describe the early stage of forming an idea

working hypothesis

More common in scientific contexts to denote a theory used as a basis for further investigation

basic outline

Focuses on the structure or framework rather than the specific wording

rudimentary framework

Describes the underlying structure as being in an early or simple state

crude approximation

Suggests a lower level of precision or a more simplified version

exploratory version

Suggests that the formulation is intended to test or investigate a path

sketchy representation

More informal and implies that many details are currently missing

FAQs

What can I say instead of "rough formulation"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/preliminary+draft" target="_blank" rel="alternative">preliminary draft", "<a href="/s/tentative+proposal" target="_blank" rel="alternative">tentative proposal" or "<a href="/s/initial+concept" target="_blank" rel="alternative">initial concept" depending on whether you are referring to a document or an idea.

Is "rough formulation" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, it is widely used in academic contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy to describe early versions of ethical or logical imperatives.

How do I use "rough formulation" in a sentence?

You might say, "This is a "rough formulation" of the new policy meant to spark discussion," or "The scientist provided a "rough formulation" for the equation before refining it in the final paper."

What is the difference between a "rough formulation" and a "final draft"?

A "rough formulation" is typically conceptual and imprecise, whereas a "<a href="/s/final+draft" target="_blank" rel="alternative">final draft" is a polished version of a document that has undergone significant refinement and correction.