roughly all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly all" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used informally to indicate an approximation of a total or a majority, but it is better to use more precise language. Example: "Roughly all of the participants agreed on the main points of the discussion."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Mr. Mateen plays stubby notes, sketching roughly all over the instrument, as Charles Mingus did, and chopping up the flow of the music.

The New York Times - Arts

The granite walls above a circular reflecting pool are carved with random letters, but not words, from roughly all 70 written world languages.

The New York Times

It only made sense: having accomplished roughly all they set out to accomplish in the N.B.A., the Knicks would face new challenges against competition more worthy of their talents.

The New Yorker

I keep expecting Tom Baker to come into shot and fry a synth's circuits by posing the Cretan liar paradox (roughly: "All Cretans are liars," says a Cretan) or sucker them with jelly babies.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It will have to happen in phases, with the first phase being establishing a Palestinian state with "provisional borders" — covering roughly all of the West Bank minus the current Israeli settlement blocs — while postponing refugees, Jerusalem and final borders to the second phase.

The New York Times

Why do you make people hate you?' " Released only two weeks ago from a succession of prisons here, Mr. Mehdi, a 51-year-old merchant with heart trouble, said he had not been treated as badly as the men he saw in photos that have shocked Iraq -- photos of black hoods, naked prisoners and leering American guards -- but roughly, all the same.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Pearson correlations for α i,j were computed roughly between all three paradigms (i) across all probe sets (j).

BMC Biology

But inside, regulars were roughly repelling all interlopers.

The Guardian

Roughly chop all the vegetables and put in a large pan with the water.

Independent

Now, her minimum monthly dental bill, roughly $214 all told, is eating up a third of her Social Security check.

The New York Times

Roughly speaking, all alternatives the customers actually face have to be included in the choice set.

Business Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider using more specific quantifiers like "almost all" or "nearly all" instead of "roughly all".

Common error

Avoid using "roughly all" when a more precise number or quantifier is available. Overusing approximations can undermine the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly all" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun phrase to indicate an approximate quantity. It suggests near-totality but acknowledges a degree of imprecision. Ludwig indicates that using more precise language can often be preferable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly all" is a qualifier phrase used to express an approximate quantity, suggesting that nearly the entirety of something is included. While generally acceptable, it's considered less precise than alternatives like "almost all" or "nearly all". Ludwig suggests more precise language may be preferable when available. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media and scientific contexts and has a neutral register. Its frequency is uncommon. Remember to consider the level of precision required for your writing and choose the most appropriate quantifier accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all

Indicates a quantity very close to the total, implying a slightly smaller margin of exception than "roughly all".

nearly all

Suggests a high degree of completeness, with a minor portion excluded.

practically all

Emphasizes the effect or outcome being almost entirely inclusive.

virtually all

Similar to "practically all", highlighting that any exceptions are negligible.

in essence all

Focuses on the fundamental or core aspect, suggesting the entirety is covered in principle.

more or less all

Explicitly acknowledges the approximation, indicating a minor degree of imprecision.

pretty much all

An informal alternative that implies a high degree of completeness.

the majority

Indicates that more than half, but not necessarily the entire group, is included.

for the most part all

Highlights that the statement is generally true, even if there are some exceptions.

by and large all

Suggests that the statement applies in general, despite possible variations or exceptions.

FAQs

What does "roughly all" mean?

The phrase "roughly all" indicates an approximation of a total, suggesting nearly complete inclusion with a degree of imprecision. It means 'almost all' or 'nearly all'.

How accurate is "roughly all"?

The accuracy of "roughly all" is subjective and context-dependent. It implies a high degree of inclusion, but without a specific number or percentage. Alternatives like "almost all" or "nearly all" provide similar implications.

What can I say instead of "roughly all"?

You can use alternatives like "almost all", "nearly all", or "practically all" depending on the context.

Is "roughly all" formal or informal?

"Roughly all" is considered relatively informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more precise language such as "almost all" or "the vast majority of".