roughly broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly broken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not completely or precisely broken, indicating a state of being damaged or fractured in an approximate manner. Example: "The vase was roughly broken, with several large cracks but still holding together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

at " ", 115 " " Bark of first tree very roughly broken, 4 1/2 inches thick.

University of California, Berkeley

Add half the reserved chicken and 1 nest of noodles, roughly broken.

The Guardian

The short-lived demonstration at a public plaza not far from China's leadership compound was promptly, and roughly, broken up by the police as a small crowd listened to a speech by one of the protesters.

The New York Times

Change the nuts, if you fancy – blanched almonds and skinned hazelnuts also work well. 1 quantity basic caramel 50g walnut halves, roughly broken up ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt Line a baking sheet with parchment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those stocks have roughly broken even for the year.

Forbes

Because of the physical processes involved, the timings for each step can be roughly broken into three distinct phases corresponding to different integration accuracy domains.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Daily News roughly breaks even.

The New York Times

By 2018 they are supposed to be roughly breaking even.

Independent

Last year, the rentals netted $102,000, roughly breaking even, according to Sue Guliani, the park's director.

The New York Times

"If the stock went down 25 percent, the convertible bond would roughly break even".

The New York Times

Roughly break up the bread and place in a large mixing bowl.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly broken" to describe something that is damaged but not completely destroyed. This conveys a sense of partial or imprecise breakage.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly broken" when the item is completely shattered or irreparable. The phrase suggests a degree of usability or structural integrity remains.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly broken" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a state of incomplete or approximate breakage. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it describing physical objects or abstract processes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

14%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly broken" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe something that is damaged but not completely destroyed. As noted by Ludwig AI, it accurately conveys a state of partial or imprecise breakage. While considered uncommon in frequency, it finds use in diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its meaning – indicating damage without complete destruction – to avoid overstating the severity of the condition. You can also explore alternatives like "partially fractured" or "slightly damaged", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially fractured

Emphasizes the incomplete nature of the fracture.

slightly damaged

Focuses on the mild degree of damage.

imperfectly broken

Highlights the imperfection or lack of completeness in the breakage.

not entirely broken

States explicitly that the item is not completely broken.

incompletely shattered

Emphasizes the shattering aspect but indicates it's not fully completed.

nearly broken

Suggests a state close to being broken but not quite there.

somewhat damaged

Indicates a moderate level of damage.

partly destroyed

Focuses on the destructive aspect, but only partially.

loosely broken

Highlights the lack of structural integrity after the breakage.

poorly broken

Indicates that the breaking was done ineffectively or incompletely.

FAQs

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

You can use "roughly broken" to describe an object or situation that is damaged but not completely destroyed. For instance, "The vase was "roughly broken", but I managed to glue it back together."

What are some alternatives to "roughly broken"?

Some alternatives include "partially fractured", "slightly damaged", or "imperfectly broken" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "roughly break" instead of "roughly broken"?

While "roughly break" can be grammatically correct in different contexts (e.g., "roughly break even"), it's not interchangeable with ""roughly broken"", which describes a state of being damaged.

What does "roughly broken" imply about the object or situation?

The phrase implies that the object or situation has sustained damage but retains some degree of functionality or structure. It's not completely ruined, but it's not in its original condition.