Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
rough information
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'rough information' is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to suggest that the information is a general overview of a topic, rather than specific, detailed information. For example: "I have some rough information about the state of the economy."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(18)
preliminary data
general overview
approximate estimate
approximate data
preliminary details
basic facts
sketchy details
incomplete details
ballpark figure
cursory information
approximate information
bad information
severe information
rudimentary information
hard information
sketchy information
thorough information
rigorous information
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
13 human-written examples
The group delay time generally gives rough information of the ground range, which depends on the exact path of the radio wave in the ionosphere.
Science
We can get some rough information from exams of this kind, but it is a mistake to use the exam scores as the basis for fundamental decisions about graduation, academic advancement and teacher effectiveness.
News & Media
The rough information collected by this system was unravelled and explained by well-known chemometrical techniques of display (principal component analysis), feature selection (stepwise linear discriminant analysis) and classification (linear discriminant analysis).
Science
Using only 2 5 tc's for inner temperature measurement provide only rough information about min./max./max
Science
This may give rough information about the expected increase in the processing time for real time system.
The weighted process can be seen as a preprocessing that obtains the rough information about the row support and the weighted values.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
47 human-written examples
In the confusion of the post-9/11 era, the lawyer Alan Dershowitz was enabled to emit a horrible proposal: that the government should start issuing "torture warrants" to federal agents who find themselves in situations in which they could, by getting cruelly and unusually rough, extract information that might save the lives of hundreds or thousands of people.
News & Media
(ii) Rough side information (SI) estimation.
Thus, rough soft information is sufficient as long as the ratio of the pseudo-range variances is accurate.
It would be great if you can propose the types of sponsored packages as well as a rough pricing information on them.
News & Media
One of the hard-learnt lessons from the liberation of German concentration camps after World War II was the importance of collecting even rough stories, information, and testimonies from survivors, as soon as possible after camps were liberated.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "rough information", clarify the degree of approximation to avoid misinterpretations. For example, specify if it's a 'rough estimate' or 'rough idea'.
Common error
Avoid presenting "rough information" as definitive or precise. Always acknowledge its limitations to maintain credibility and prevent misleading your audience.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "rough information" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "rough" modifies the noun "information". It indicates the information is not precise, complete, or fully refined. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in academic, scientific, and news contexts, supporting its grammatical correctness.
Frequent in
Science
75%
News & Media
19%
Wiki
6%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "rough information" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe information that is approximate, preliminary, or not fully refined. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, highlighting its utility in conveying initial or incomplete knowledge. While acceptable for general discussions, it is essential to avoid presenting it as precise or definitive, clarifying its limitations to maintain credibility. When more appropriate, alternatives like "preliminary data" or "general overview" can provide more context-specific descriptions.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
approximate data
Focuses on the data being an approximation, rather than the quality of the information.
preliminary details
Emphasizes the information being initial and subject to change.
general overview
Highlights the broad, non-specific nature of the information.
basic facts
Indicates a focus on fundamental, rather than comprehensive, details.
sketchy details
Suggests the information is incomplete and possibly unreliable.
crude data
Implies the data is raw and unprocessed.
incomplete details
Highlights the lack of completeness in the information.
unrefined information
Emphasizes the lack of processing or filtering of the information.
ballpark figure
Specifically refers to a numerical estimate that is approximate.
high-level data
Signifies data that is abstract and lacks granular detail.
FAQs
How can I use "rough information" in a sentence?
You can use "rough information" to indicate a general or approximate understanding of a topic, as in "I only have "rough information" about the project's budget".
What's the difference between "rough information" and "detailed information"?
"Rough information" provides a general overview, while "detailed information" offers specific and comprehensive insights.
What are some alternatives to saying "rough information"?
You can use alternatives like "preliminary data", "general overview", or "approximate estimate" depending on the context.
Is it acceptable to base decisions on "rough information"?
Basing critical decisions solely on "rough information" can be risky. It's best used for initial assessments or when more precise data isn't available. Always consider the limitations.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested