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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
roughly change
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "roughly change" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express an approximate alteration or adjustment, but the wording is awkward and unclear. Example: "The budget will roughly change next quarter, depending on our sales performance."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Real change is (roughly) change involved in causing something, change an item is caused to undergo or change not "logically parasitic" on change in other things.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
Some changes reflect roughly 300 comments that were submitted to the panel by seven outside reviewers before the draft copy leaked, while the decision to use the term "break even" was made before auto lobbyists began calling panel members.
News & Media
This roughly twofold change in the partition coefficient may lead to large differences in the concentration of dissolved Ra.
For this combination, a 40% decrease in CBF is predicted to result in a roughly 20% change in TTP.
Science
A poll last month for the Climate Institute, a Sydney research body, found that 77% of people worried about climate change; roughly the same share thought the Liberal Party should back the legislation.
News & Media
Analysis of the metabolite levels indicated that, whereas changes in glucose levels in control and Cdk1Liv−/− animals were roughly similar, changes caused by PH in pyruvate levels at the end of the glycolytic pathway were different.
Science
Romanticism is a term loosely used to designate numerous and diverse changes in the arts during a period of more than 100 years (roughly, 1760 1870), changes that were in reaction against Neoclassicism (but not necessarily the classicism of Greece and Rome) or against what is variously called the Age of Reason, the Augustan Age, the Enlightenment, or 18th-century materialism.
Encyclopedias
Roughly, the changes in gene expression mediated by the genotypes were inversely correlated to changes mediated by the growth temperatures (Fig. 3c).
Science
Roughly $13 billion changes hands between classic car collectors worldwide, according to Fuelist co-founder Thomas Rand-Nash.
News & Media
On August 22nd, the day before the Obama campaign officially named Biden as the veep pick, Biden's Wiki page garnered roughly 40 changes.
News & Media
The correlational maps at the same time intervals (Figure 7B) roughly reproduce changes in EEG power.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "roughly change". Instead, use clearer alternatives like "approximately alter" or "estimate the change" for better readability and grammatical correctness.
Common error
Do not combine "roughly" directly with "change" as a verb. It is more appropriate to modify a verb that describes the change, such as "roughly estimate" or "roughly adjust".
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "roughly change" is an attempt to express an approximate alteration. However, as Ludwig AI notes, it is grammatically awkward. The intended function is to indicate that a change is not precise but rather an estimation.
Frequent in
Science
37%
News & Media
35%
Encyclopedias
6%
Less common in
Formal & Business
6%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "roughly change" is grammatically incorrect and considered awkward in English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's better to use alternative phrasings such as "approximately alter", "estimate the change", or modify a verb to be "roughly estimate". Although contexts that contain related words (like News and Science) are common, it is more appropriate to refine this phrase to align with standard grammar conventions.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
approximate change
Replaces "roughly" with "approximate", providing a more direct synonym.
approximate alteration
Uses "alteration" instead of "change", adding a slightly more formal tone.
estimated change
Substitutes "roughly" with "estimated", emphasizing the act of making an estimation.
approximate modification
Replaces "change" with "modification", suggesting a more specific type of alteration.
rough adjustment
Uses "adjustment" instead of "change", implying a course correction.
ballpark figure adjustment
Substitutes "roughly" with "ballpark figure", indicating an imprecise estimation applied to an adjustment.
estimated adjustment
A blend of estimation and adjustment, focusing on a corrective estimate.
general trend change
Replaces "roughly" with "general trend", focusing on broad changes.
order of magnitude change
Substitutes "roughly" with "order of magnitude", specifying a large and approximate change.
around change
Uses "around" to indicate approximation, focusing on a general vicinity of change.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "roughly change" to be grammatically correct?
Instead of "roughly change", you can use phrases like "approximately alter", "estimate the change", or "roughly estimate" depending on the intended meaning.
What is a more formal alternative to "roughly change"?
For a more formal tone, consider using "approximately modify" or "estimate the adjustment" instead of "roughly change".
Is "roughly change" considered grammatically correct in English?
No, "roughly change" is not considered grammatically correct. It's better to use phrases that clearly separate the approximation from the act of changing, such as "roughly estimate".
When is it appropriate to use "roughly" in relation to "change"?
"Roughly" is best used to modify verbs associated with change, such as "roughly estimate the changes" or "roughly adjust". It is less appropriate to directly precede "change" as a verb.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested