rough guess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough guess" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are estimating something but you are not sure of the exact figure. For example, "I don't know the exact cost of transport, but I'd make a rough guess that it would be around fifty dollars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Two years could be a rough guess".

The Guardian

At a rough guess, their value was now in the region of $200m.

Independent

At a rough guess there could be more than 500 pieces to hang.

Independent

At a very rough guess, that represents growth of maybe 3 million passengers per year.

The Economist

[More.] My rough guess is that the odds are 50/50, with or without volcanoes.

The New York Times

But I'm thinking, just a really rough guess, it could be down 20percentt in 2009.

The New York Times

At a rough guess, it took between 30 seconds and a minute before it stopped.

The Guardian

When he said, "Can you make a rough guess?" they simply nodded.

The New Yorker

He reckons that it will take at least a year to arrive at even a rough guess.

The Economist

Improving on this "rough guess" requires a more-detailed assessment of the fates of different sets of species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is a healthy and passionate debate about a sport we all love and cherish...all 11,000 of us so far (comments posted...rough guess).

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rough guess", acknowledge the lack of precision. For example, preface it with "This is just a" or "As a" to manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "rough guess" as a definitive answer. Always contextualize it as an approximation, not a precise measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough guess" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb (e.g., make a "rough guess") or follows a preposition (e.g., at a "rough guess"). Ludwig shows many examples of this usage across different sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough guess" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an approximation or estimation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, though it's crucial to acknowledge its inherent imprecision. Ludwig's examples highlight its frequent use in news and media, science, and business. When writing, consider alternatives like "ballpark estimate" for slightly increased precision, but avoid presenting a "rough guess" as a definitive answer. Overall, it's a useful phrase for conveying estimations when exact figures are not available or necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ballpark estimate

Replaces "guess" with "estimate" and "rough" with "ballpark", emphasizing approximation.

guesstimate

Combines "guess" and "estimate" into a single word, implying an approximate calculation.

approximate figure

Highlights the inexactness of the number.

preliminary calculation

Focuses on the initial and approximate nature of the calculation.

back-of-the-envelope calculation

Emphasizes the informal and quick nature of the calculation.

crude estimation

Uses "crude" to emphasize the lack of precision in the estimation.

first approximation

Highlights that it's the initial and potentially inaccurate estimation.

educated guess

Suggests the guess is based on some knowledge, even if imprecise.

tentative assessment

Indicates the assessment is provisional and subject to change.

quick calculation

Emphasizes the speed and lack of thoroughness in the calculation.

FAQs

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

You can use "rough guess" when providing an approximate estimate. For example, "As a "rough guess", I'd say it will take about two hours."

What are some alternatives to saying "rough guess"?

Alternatives include "ballpark estimate", "guesstimate", or "approximate figure", depending on the context.

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

While "rough guess" is acceptable in many contexts, in formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "preliminary estimate" or "approximate calculation" to maintain a higher level of professionalism.

What's the difference between "rough guess" and "educated guess"?

A "rough guess" is a general approximation, while an "educated guess" implies that the estimation is based on some knowledge or experience, making it more informed.