roughly calculate

USAGE SUMMARY

"roughly calculate" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate an estimation or approximation of a numerical value. For example, "We can roughly calculate the total cost of the project." Alternative expressions include "estimate," "approximate," and "guesstimate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

His measurements of Mars's position as it neared the Earth enabled him to roughly calculate the solar parallax.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, cosmologists believe they can roughly calculate the size of the waves corresponding to the main tone in the early universe.

The New York Times - Science

Let us roughly calculate the effect of the thermal stress.

Earth, Planets and Space

I've written about guidelines on how to roughly calculate your own calorie goals here.

Huffington Post

Assuming other states are like Michigan, and recognizing that Michigan has a larger population than most states, I roughly calculate that the county-based electoral College will leave the choice of our next president of the hands of 63,171 people (plus or minus 73 people, given the current rate of foreclosures).

Huffington Post

Because min was not zero and varied between batches, high doses of rosiglitazone (10 μM) were run alongside each batch to roughly calculate the minnominal.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The estimates of loss of life are obviously only roughly calculated on the basis of the known population, but they have gradually reached 200,000.

The Economist

In keeping with this spirit of individualism, the Op-Ed page asked five chefs with New York restaurants what they ate on a typical day, and very roughly calculated how their menus would fit into the new pyramid.

The New York Times

Given the notes were taken over a four-year period, it can be roughly calculated that over 500 hacking-derived stories found their way from Mulcaire's notebooks onto the pages of the News of the World each year.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are instruments of war, not law enforcement, which means that even when they are technically and brilliantly precise, they are not designed with the nuances of due process in mind, and are often guided by difficult (and roughly calculated) collateral damage assessments.

The New Yorker

Levine had once worked on a spill of about a thousand barrels in the Delaware River, and, as he looked down on the oil from the airplane window, he roughly calculated that the daily volume emanating from the BP well was ten times that amount.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly calculate" when you need to convey an estimation or approximation, rather than a precise calculation. This is particularly useful when dealing with incomplete data or when a precise result is not necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly calculate" when you actually have precise data available. If a precise calculation is possible and relevant, presenting a rough estimate could undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "roughly calculate" is a verb phrase. This phrase, as indicated by Ludwig AI, is used to describe the action of estimating or approximating a value. The adverb "roughly" modifies the verb "calculate", indicating the calculation is not precise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "roughly calculate" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to express an estimated or approximate calculation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable in English writing and particularly useful when precision isn't necessary or achievable. While it appears across various contexts like science, news, and wikis, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "estimate approximately" or "determine by estimation". Remember to avoid using it when precise data is available to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

estimate approximately

Emphasizes a near calculation rather than an accurate one.

approximate roughly

Reverses the order of "roughly" and "approximate".

make a rough estimate

Focuses on the estimation aspect, implying less precision.

calculate approximately

Highlights the calculation with an element of approximation.

ballpark figure

Suggests a very general estimate, often used in business contexts.

guesstimate

Combines "guess" and "estimate", implying a lack of precise data.

work out approximately

Indicates an informal calculation to get an approximate result.

determine by estimation

Highlights the method of estimation in arriving at a determination.

figure out roughly

Suggests a casual calculation to understand something approximately.

assess cursorily

Implies a quick and superficial assessment, similar to a rough calculation.

FAQs

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

You can use "roughly calculate" when you want to express an estimated amount. For example, "We can "roughly calculate" the expenses for this project, but it's not the exact amount".

What's a good alternative to "roughly calculate"?

Alternatives include "estimate approximately", "make a rough estimate", or "calculate approximately" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "roughly calculate" in formal writing?

While "roughly calculate" is acceptable, in more formal contexts, consider using "estimate approximately" or "determine by estimation" to maintain a higher level of formality.

What does "roughly calculate" mean?

"Roughly calculate" means to estimate or approximate a value, rather than performing an exact calculation. It indicates a level of imprecision or approximation in the calculation.