roughly at the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly at the same time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more events occurred around the same period, without specifying an exact time. Example: "The two experiments were conducted roughly at the same time, leading to similar results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

These games kicked off roughly at the same time.

The Guardian - Sport

The other came roughly at the same time.

The New York Times - Magazine

For the next 10 years, we worked together, got arrested together, married, had children - roughly at the same time.

The Guardian

Roughly at the same time, Selig began to campaign for a new stadium for his Milwaukee Brewers.

The Guardian - Sport

The reference is to the Matapunenga compendium (to be published at roughly at the same time as the Legal Māori Dictionary).

Cornell University

Order and even clarity is sometimes sacrificed, though, as she seeks to advance the stories of a dozen people roughly at the same time.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

But while Mr. Stanek and Mr. Moore went after roughly the same market at roughly the same time, they differed in one critical aspect: how they financed their dreams.

The New York Times

Rodriguez and Morente emerged from roughly the same place at roughly the same time (the former was born in 1978 in the port city of Cádiz; the latter two years later in Granada, some 200 miles away).

Huffington Post

Dr. Hamer's roles at the board and at TestU developed at roughly the same time.

The New York Times

However, aircraft reconnaissance estimated wind speeds of at least 140 mph at roughly the same time frame.

Wikipedia

It happened at roughly the same time you were at the BBC.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that didn't happen at the exact same moment but close enough, use "roughly at the same time" to indicate an approximate timeframe. This avoids implying a precision that doesn't exist.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly at the same time" when you mean "roughly at the same time". Using the former can mislead readers into thinking events were perfectly synchronized, which might not be the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly at the same time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred. It specifies the timing of an event in relation to another, implying approximation rather than precision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly at the same time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that events occurred in temporal proximity without being perfectly simultaneous. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts. To ensure clarity, avoid using this phrase when precise timing is known, and consider alternatives like "around the same time" or "nearly simultaneously" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around the same time

Replaces "roughly" with "around" offering a slightly less precise approximation.

at approximately the same moment

Replaces "time" with "moment", making it slightly more specific but still approximate.

nearly simultaneously

Emphasizes the near-simultaneous occurrence of events.

approximately concurrently

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more formal, single-word adverb.

more or less simultaneously

Adds a slight degree of uncertainty or approximation to the simultaneity.

in the same timeframe

Shifts the focus to a period rather than an exact moment.

in close succession

Focuses on the order of events being near each other rather than the precise timing.

in temporal proximity

Uses more technical, academic language to convey the nearness in time.

at about the same juncture

Replaces "time" with "juncture," implying a critical or particular point in time.

coincidentally

Highlights the chance element of events occurring near each other in time.

FAQs

What does "roughly at the same time" mean?

The phrase "roughly at the same time" means that two or more events occurred close to each other in time, but not necessarily at the exact same moment. It indicates an approximation rather than precise simultaneity.

How can I use "roughly at the same time" in a sentence?

You can use "roughly at the same time" to connect two events that happened close together. For example, "The two companies launched their new products "roughly at the same time"."

What are some alternatives to "roughly at the same time"?

Alternatives to "roughly at the same time" include "around the same time", "approximately concurrently", or "nearly simultaneously". Choose the alternative that best fits the context and level of formality.

Is there a difference between "roughly at the same time" and "exactly at the same time"?

Yes, "roughly at the same time" indicates an approximation, while "exactly at the same time" implies precise simultaneity. Use "exactly" only when the events occurred at the very same moment; otherwise, "roughly" is more appropriate.