roughly a dozen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly a dozen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate an approximate quantity of twelve items or units. Example: "We received roughly a dozen applications for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Aramco flew in roughly a dozen American computer security experts.

The New York Times

In each, Reacher kills, roughly, a dozen people.

The New Yorker

There are 32 teams, each with roughly a dozen players.

The New York Times

According to roughly a dozen recent studies, executions save lives.

The New York Times

In 2011, "roughly a dozen" were dismantled, with an additional eight more this year, he said.

The New York Times

One Chinese developer, CocoaChina, has created an antifraud alliance of roughly a dozen developers.

The New York Times

They now compete as a team in roughly a dozen public design competitions each year.

The New York Times

All but nine crew members and roughly a dozen passengers perished.

The New Yorker

With roughly a dozen crashes in Stage 5, some riders were lucky to finish.

The New York Times

Mr. Duncan located roughly a dozen period-specific vehicles for the production.

The New York Times

One year, as time ran out, Carter still had roughly a dozen folders to go.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly a dozen" when you need to indicate an approximate quantity without being overly precise. It's suitable for situations where the exact number isn't critical.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly a dozen" too frequently in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using more precise numbers or different quantifiers to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly a dozen" functions as a quantifier, indicating an approximate quantity. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns, like "people", "studies", or "crashes", to suggest an inexact but close-to-twelve number.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "roughly a dozen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used quantifier that approximates the number twelve. According to Ludwig, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When precision is paramount, consider alternatives such as "approximately twelve". While "roughly a dozen" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse to maintain writing quality. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately twelve

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", maintaining the same level of imprecision.

about twelve

Substitutes "roughly" with "about", offering a simpler and more direct approximation.

around a dozen

Uses "around" instead of "roughly" to indicate an approximate quantity.

close to a dozen

Emphasizes the proximity to the quantity of twelve.

nearly a dozen

Highlights that the quantity is just short of twelve.

in the neighborhood of twelve

Offers a more descriptive and slightly more formal way to express an approximate number.

a little over ten

Specifies a number slightly exceeding ten, approximating a dozen.

slightly more than ten

Similar to "a little over ten", this phrase emphasizes the quantity being just above ten.

a handful of

Provides a less precise but still indicative quantity, suitable when exactness is not crucial.

ten to fifteen

Provides a range to express the approximate quantity, allowing for more flexibility.

FAQs

What does "roughly a dozen" mean?

The phrase "roughly a dozen" means approximately twelve. It indicates an estimated quantity that is close to, but not necessarily exactly, twelve.

When is it appropriate to use "roughly a dozen"?

It is appropriate to use "roughly a dozen" when you want to convey an approximate quantity and precision is not required. It's suitable for general statements where an exact number isn't critical.

What are some alternatives to saying "roughly a dozen"?

Alternatives include "approximately twelve", "about twelve", or "around a dozen". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "roughly a dozen" formal or informal?

"Roughly a dozen" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might benefit from using "approximately twelve".