rough reading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough reading" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a preliminary or informal interpretation of a text or document, often without thorough analysis. Example: "After a rough reading of the report, I noticed several key points that need further discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

IDC's latest figures (see here) make rough reading and it is likely that even the one segment that is showing growth will soon run out of steam.

Forbes

The jobs market also got a rough reading, as Challenger, Gray & Christmas' monthly report on corporate layoffs showed a figure of 103,300 for the month of July, a jump from June's 81,800 layoffs.

Forbes

Word by word, the book is rough reading.

Los Angeles Times

"It's been rough reading the different comments, but it reminded me of the current climate in the nation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

With its sharp, brittle edges, its unvarnished glimpse into a violent subculture, it may be a rough read for some, but it's replete with Barry's crackling wit and signature mix of humor and pathos, and is, at its heart, a love story.

Huffington Post

Once you have found an interesting topic, you begin by doing a rough read through of the verses.

WikiHow

Wednesday at 7 p.m., "Memoir in the Rough," a reading with the authors Vivian Gornick and Hettie Jones; Paul Zakrzewski is the moderator.

The New York Times - Arts

If any rough barometer reading may be taken from this year's Turner prize, it is that London is increasingly unviable as a place for young artists to make work.

The Guardian - Arts

Stocks reversed course in midstream Tuesday, overcoming a rough inflation reading to erase early losses.

Forbes

a) taking RR = 1.06 for 10 μg/m3 PM2.5 from Table 2 of Pope et al. [ 2] and assuming a factor 0.6 for the conversion from PM2.5 to PM10 b) rough estimate, reading RR from Fig.5 of Pope et al. [ 2] The LE loss for cohort studies has been calculated by Rabl [ 26] and Miller and Hurley [ 8], based on Pope et al. [ 2].

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

A rough table read took place recently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rough reading", clarify the purpose of the reading. For example, specify whether it's to get a general sense of the material or to identify key areas for further investigation.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions or making critical decisions based solely on a "rough reading". Always corroborate initial impressions with a more thorough analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough reading" functions as a noun phrase, where "rough" modifies the noun "reading". It typically describes an initial or cursory engagement with a text. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show it used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough reading" refers to an initial and often quick perusal of a text, designed to gain a general understanding without delving into intricate details. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's important to remember, however, that decisions shouldn't be made based solely on a "rough reading"; instead, it should serve as a starting point for more in-depth analysis. Related terms include ""preliminary reading"", "initial assessment", and "cursory review". The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary reading

Emphasizes the initial and not fully detailed nature of the reading process.

initial assessment

Focuses on the evaluation aspect of the reading, highlighting its early stage.

cursory review

Suggests a quick and surface-level examination of the material.

quick scan

Highlights the speed and lack of depth in the reading process.

superficial examination

Stresses the lack of thoroughness in the review.

approximate interpretation

Shifts the focus to the resulting understanding, noting its inexactness.

tentative understanding

Emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of confidence in the comprehension.

broad overview

Highlights the comprehensive but not detailed nature of the reading.

general perusal

Indicates a casual and light reading of the material.

hasty reading

Underlines the speed and potential lack of care in the reading.

FAQs

What does "rough reading" mean?

"Rough reading" refers to a preliminary or initial reading of a text, done quickly and without detailed analysis, to get a general sense of its content.

How to use "rough reading" in a sentence?

You can use "rough reading" in a sentence like this: "After a "preliminary reading", I had a general understanding of the topic.".

What can I say instead of "rough reading"?

You can use alternatives like "initial assessment", "cursory review", or "quick scan" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to base important decisions on a "rough reading"?

It's generally not advisable to make critical decisions based solely on a "rough reading". A more thorough and detailed analysis is usually necessary for important decisions.