rough indicator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough indicator" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a general or approximate measure of something, rather than a precise or exact figure. Example: "The number of visitors to our website serves as a rough indicator of our marketing campaign's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

The expected frequency of a GO category is We propose to use the ratio of observed to expected frequencies as a rough indicator of enrichment; a ratio above one indicates that the GO category is enriched in the sample with respect to its average expectation, while a ratio below one indicates a depleted GO category.

Bioinformatics

There are no exact figures on the number of executives who are changing gears toward teaching, but a rough indicator of the new interest comes from the National Center for Education Information.

The New York Times

Amfels also took on military projects whose details seemed to be known by every aspiring blue-collar worker in Cameron Park, and a rough indicator of its corporate health could be sighted from miles away.

The New Yorker

Using Super Bowl ads as a rough indicator of the high end of the market, he determined that in 2010 the price of an American's attention was six cents per minute.

The New Yorker

The point of exam results, rather than to be a rough indicator of a young person's academic development, has become to act as the means by which we judge teachers and schools.

Independent

The buzz over Burger King, however, is a rough indicator that for every French person who decries the Americanization of French culture there is another who embraces the country's obsession with Americana, whether it comes in the form of fast food or Hollywood film noir.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

All the rough indicators of coverage converge and indicate an increase in coverage for the various antigens, a decrease in children lost to follow-up of BCG/DTCP1 and DTCP1/DTCP2, and a relative reduction in regional disparities.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

We intend to show that such an approach, simple in its application and requiring no particular skills of analysis, makes it possible to go beyond the general indications provided by the rough indicators of coverage and obtain a truer picture of the real immunization activities in regions or health districts.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

STOCKS Equity markets are good rough indicators of how investors look at a country's prospects — the productivity of its enterprises and the health of its financial system.

The New York Times

Thermocouple temperatures serve only as rough indicators, secondary to the RHEED patterns.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Although the number of strong-motion records at a couple of stations is not adequate due to low seismicity, we provide the standard deviations of spectral ratios as rough indicators of variability.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rough indicator", clarify the limitations of the measure. Explain why it's being used despite its lack of precision and what factors might influence its accuracy.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "rough indicator" as a definitive or conclusive measure. Always acknowledge its limitations and potential inaccuracies to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough indicator" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, specifying the type of indicator being referred to. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is typically used when a precise measure is not available or necessary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

21%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rough indicator" is a commonly used phrase to describe a measure that is approximate but still provides a general understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and usable across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news. When using this phrase, it's crucial to acknowledge the measure's limitations and avoid overstating its reliability. Consider alternatives like "approximate gauge" or "general estimate" depending on the specific context. Overall, using "rough indicator" effectively involves balancing transparency about the data's limitations with its potential utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough estimate

Focuses on the estimation aspect, highlighting its approximate nature.

approximate gauge

Replaces "indicator" with a synonym implying a measuring device, maintains the sense of approximation.

general estimate

Substitutes "rough" with "general" and "indicator" with "estimate", both suggesting a lack of precision.

crude measure

Uses "crude" instead of "rough" and "measure" instead of "indicator", emphasizing simplicity and lack of refinement.

basic approximation

Highlights the fundamental and not necessarily precise nature of the indicator.

imprecise metric

Replaces "rough" with "imprecise" and "indicator" with "metric", focusing on the lack of exactness in measurement.

ballpark figure

Implies an estimation within a reasonable range, rather than a specific point.

rule of thumb

Suggests a practical and approximate approach, not based on scientific accuracy.

preliminary assessment

Indicates an initial and potentially not fully accurate evaluation.

high-level indication

Emphasizes a broad overview, lacking specific details or precision.

FAQs

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

Use "rough indicator" to describe a measure that provides an approximate or general idea, but is not precise. For instance, "Website traffic can be a "rough indicator" of brand awareness."

What phrases can I use instead of "rough indicator"?

Alternatives include "approximate gauge", "general estimate", or "crude measure". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "rough indicator" a formal or informal expression?

"Rough indicator" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, consider using synonyms that convey greater precision, if available, or clarify the limitations of a "rough indicator".

What does "rough indicator" imply about the data?

It implies that the data is not perfectly accurate or reliable, but it can still provide a useful general sense of the situation. Further investigation may be needed to get a more accurate picture or to see if there is something better than a "rough indicator".