rough proxy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough proxy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an approximation or substitute that is not exact but serves a similar purpose. Example: "The data we collected provides a rough proxy for the overall trends in consumer behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Demographics offered a rough proxy for expected behavior.

Harvard Business Review

It's a rough proxy for pessimism and optimism.

The New York Times

Those imbalances are a rough proxy for capital flight.

The New York Times

Current accounts are a rough proxy for the economic health of eurozone states.

Independent

The index of hours worked a rough proxy for growth in economic output fell by 0.5%.

The Economist

Nationally, more than half of public school students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a rough proxy for poverty.

The Washington Post

The data measures numbers of prescriptions, not pills, but is a rough proxy for Americans' use of opioids.

The New York Times - Health

Students in schools with higher free- and reduced-lunch rates, a rough proxy for poverty, also performed worse than the average.

The Washington Post

Length of hospital stay is only a very rough proxy for injury severity and could be revisited for future funds like this.

Harvard Business Review

And we are clearly not fixing the problem of prisoner under-education if the statistics on prisoner literacy – a rough proxy for high school education – are any indication.

The Guardian - Opinion

But measures of income inequality are misleading because an individual's income is, at best, a rough proxy for his or her real economic wellbeing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "rough proxy", ensure the context clearly indicates what it is approximating and why a more precise measure isn't available or necessary.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "rough proxy" as a definitive or highly accurate measure. Always acknowledge its limitations to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough proxy" functions as a noun phrase that describes something used as an approximate substitute for another variable or measure. It acknowledges that the substitute is not perfect but serves a practical purpose. Ludwig's examples show it is used to provide estimations across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough proxy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe an imperfect but useful substitute for a measurement or indicator. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is frequently encountered in various contexts, notably News & Media and Science, suggesting its broad applicability. When using "rough proxy", it's crucial to acknowledge its limitations and ensure the context justifies its use, preventing overstatements of accuracy. Alternatives like "approximate indicator" or "ballpark figure" may be suitable depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. This phrase allows for practical analysis when precise data is unavailable, making it a valuable tool in many fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ballpark figure

Refers to an approximate number or value.

rough estimate

Focuses on the estimation aspect, highlighting that it's not exact.

crude approximation

Indicates a basic or simplified way of estimating something.

approximate indicator

Emphasizes the indicating function while acknowledging imprecision.

broad indicator

Suggests that the indicator is wide-ranging rather than detailed.

imperfect measure

Highlights the lack of perfection in the measurement.

simplified representation

Stresses the simplification aspect of the representation.

general substitute

Implies a substitution that's not highly specific or precise.

working assumption

Highlights that it's an assumption used for practical purposes, which might not be entirely accurate.

tentative gauge

Focuses on the gauging or measuring aspect, with a sense of uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "rough proxy" to indicate an approximate or inexact substitute for something. For example, "In this study, the unemployment rate served as a "rough proxy" for economic hardship".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "rough proxy"?

Alternatives include "approximate indicator", "crude approximation", or "ballpark figure", depending on the specific context.

Is "rough proxy" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "rough proxy" is suitable for formal writing, especially when acknowledging the limitations of a particular measurement or indicator. However, ensure that the context justifies its use over a more precise alternative.

When should I avoid using "rough proxy"?

Avoid using "rough proxy" when a more accurate and reliable measure is readily available or when precision is critical to the argument or analysis. In such cases, strive for more exact methods.