roughly a third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly a third" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing an approximate measurement or estimation of a quantity, often in relation to a whole. Example: "Roughly a third of the participants reported feeling more engaged after the workshop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roughly a third are Mexican.

The Economist

Roughly a third are EU citizens.

The Guardian

SAC dismissed roughly a third of its money managers.

The New York Times

Roughly a third of the workforce has no job.

The Economist

Islamists make up roughly a third of the Egyptian population.

The New Yorker

Local government accounts for roughly a third of government spending.

The Economist

Roughly a third of family members of I.C.U.

The New York Times

The price exceeded the highest expectations by roughly a third.

The New York Times - Arts

The Pacific Ocean covers roughly a third of the globe.

The New Yorker

That is roughly a third of American losses to date.

The New York Times

Today, roughly a third of Iraqi households own satellite dishes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the level of precision required. If a more exact figure is available and relevant, provide it instead of relying on the approximation "roughly a third".

Common error

Avoid using "roughly a third" when you have precise data available. Using an approximation when exact figures exist can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly a third" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating an approximate proportion. It modifies a noun, providing an estimation of the quantity, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples such as "Roughly a third of the workforce has no job."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly a third" is a common and versatile phrase used to indicate an approximate proportion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from news reports and academic papers to general conversation. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the whole quantity and considering whether a more precise figure is warranted. Remember, it's better to provide exact data when available instead of relying on approximations. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "roughly a third" into your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Approximately one third

Uses a more formal term ("approximately") instead of "roughly" and specifies "one third".

About a third

Replaces "roughly" with the simpler synonym "about".

Around a third

Substitutes "roughly" with "around", indicating an approximate quantity.

Nearly a third

Emphasizes that the quantity is close to, but slightly less than, one-third.

Close to a third

Indicates that the quantity is in the vicinity of one-third.

In the neighborhood of a third

A more descriptive way of saying "approximately a third".

Just about a third

Adds emphasis on the approximation being very close to one-third.

A little over a quarter

Expresses a quantity that is slightly more than a quarter but less than a third, implying an estimation.

Slightly less than a half

Indicates an amount that is a bit smaller than half, providing an approximate frame of reference.

A considerable portion

Uses a more general term to indicate a significant, but not precisely defined, amount.

FAQs

How can I use "roughly a third" in a sentence?

You can use "roughly a third" to indicate an approximate portion of something. For example, "Roughly a third of the students in the class are majoring in science."

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

Alternatives include "approximately one third", "about a third", or "nearly a third". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "roughly a third" in formal writing?

While "roughly a third" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "approximately one third" might be preferred in academic or professional contexts.

What does "roughly a third" mean?

"Roughly a third" means approximately one-third, indicating an amount that is close to, but not necessarily exactly, 33.33% of a whole.