rough price

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough price" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe an estimated or approximate price of something, rather than an exact or precise amount. Example: "Can you give me a rough price for the repairs on my car?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The agent will let you know whether the celebrity is interested and give you a rough price tag.

The Guardian

In a conference call with analysts, Mr. Donaldson put rough price tags on some of his plans.

The New York Times

In Akron, signs affixed to new homes and available lots include not only the agent's name and a rough price estimate, but also the words "tax abatement" in bold letters.

The Washington Post

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told lawmakers on Wednesday that an American operation would cost "in the tens of millions of dollars," the first time any administration official has put even a rough price tag on the possible strike.

The New York Times

Then there's the movie tickets (at least £24 if a child has seen all three films at a rough price of £8 a pop) and the DVDs (£10-£20 each in stores or £5-£8 each online).

The Guardian - Money

He said that when giving an indication that the headset might be cheaper than people thought, he was directly taking on an estimate that the kit would cost $1500 — which is in fact the rough price of the headset plus a computer powerful enough to be able to run it.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The Teaching Value Project uses a rough pricing hierarchy rather than exact dollar figures to gauge costs, similar to the approach at well-known restaurant or travel search sites, which helps young doctors avoid getting mired in price variations and hairsplitting details.

The New York Times

It would be great if you can propose the types of sponsored packages as well as a rough pricing information on them.

TechCrunch

For offerings that compete on the basis of price, you move clockwise around the model, again starting with the CVP, but next setting the price, devising a rough cost structure, and then determining what processes and resources (often radically different from those in your current model) are needed to meet your price requirements.

Harvard Business Review

Facebook hit a rough stock price trough alongside the stumbling launch of both Facebook Home and the HTC First.

TechCrunch

On recent history, Google and Yahoo are actually unlikely suitors; although Rediff's market cap and therefore rough takeover price of $738.9million would put it into the realms of a Google buy, recent history, particularly with Google would suggest otherwise.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rough price" when you want to convey that the price is not exact and may be subject to change. It's suitable for initial discussions or estimations.

Common error

Avoid using "rough price" when you need to provide a firm, non-negotiable price. Instead, offer a final quote or a fixed price to avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough price" functions as a noun phrase, where "rough" modifies the noun "price". It describes the approximate or estimated cost of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to convey the price is not exact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough price" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an approximate or estimated cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for situations where precision isn't necessary or available. While acceptable in various contexts, including news and general discussions, more formal alternatives might be preferable in strictly professional or academic environments. When using "rough price", ensure that the audience understands that the figure provided is an initial estimation subject to change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate cost

Replaces "price" with "cost", maintaining the meaning of an estimated value.

estimated price

Substitutes "rough" with "estimated", providing a more formal tone.

ballpark figure

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate an approximate number.

preliminary price

Replaces "rough" with "preliminary", suggesting a price that is subject to change.

tentative price

Indicates a price that is not yet finalized or confirmed.

initial price

Focuses on the starting price point, implying it might change.

guesstimate

Combines "guess" and "estimate" to suggest a less precise calculation.

order of magnitude

Indicates an approximate value within a certain power of ten.

preliminary quote

Uses "quote" instead of "price", implying a formal estimate for services.

budget estimate

Implies the approximate cost within a budgeting context.

FAQs

How to use "rough price" in a sentence?

You can use "rough price" to ask for an estimated cost, such as "Can you give me a "rough price" for the project?" or "The agent provided a "rough price" before negotiations began."

What can I say instead of "rough price"?

You can use alternatives like "approximate cost", "estimated price", or "ballpark figure" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "rough price" in formal business communication?

While "rough price" is generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, using terms like "preliminary price" or "budget estimate" might sound more professional.

What does "rough price" imply about the accuracy of the cost?

"Rough price" implies that the cost is an initial estimation and is not a final or precise figure. It suggests that the actual price might vary.