roughly enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is approximately sufficient or adequate, though not precisely so. Example: "The budget we have is roughly enough to cover the expenses for the project, but we may need to find additional funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

(One megawatt is roughly enough to power 1,000 homes).

The New York Times

An acre-foot equals about 326,000 gallons, roughly enough for two families of four for a year.

The New York Times

G.M. said Saturn stores had about 12,000 vehicles in inventory, roughly enough to last four more months.

The New York Times

That is a huge sum, roughly enough to eliminate the financing gap in the Social Security programme without any other changes.

The Economist

The power plant here, nestled between Cordoba and the sea, produces 12 megawatts of electricity, roughly enough for four villages this size.

The New York Times

Two weeks ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran had produced roughly enough nuclear material to make, with added purification, a single atom bomb.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The Frick, a small museum in the former mansion of Henry Clay Frick, an industrialist, has an endowment roughly large enough to cover its operating costs.

The Economist

Chop mint roughly — just enough, as the chef Fergus Henderson writes about parsley, to discipline it — and do the same with the oregano.

The New York Times - Magazine

The best hypothesis about the US economy this past year and more is that it has been steadily adding jobs at a pace roughly fast enough to keep up with but not get ahead of population growth.

The New York Times

Comparisons have obviously been made with The Lord of the Rings, and they're roughly fair enough, but with significantly more naked women (or even women) and better dialogue and an equally fine cast.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We note that the closed conformation of the channel (Van den Berg et al., 2004) cannot accommodate a molecule the size of CT8, whereas a cavity, outlined by the identified mutations and roughly large enough for CT8, is apparent in structures with a partially open lateral gate (Egea and Stroud, 2010).

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly enough" when you want to indicate that a quantity, amount, or degree is sufficient for a particular purpose, but not necessarily exact or precise. It softens the statement and implies a level of estimation.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly enough" when a precise measurement or quantity is required. Using it in contexts demanding accuracy can undermine the credibility of your statement. Instead, opt for exact figures or measurements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly enough" functions as an adverbial modifier specifying the degree to which something meets a requirement. It modifies adjectives (e.g., "large enough") to denote that something is approximately, but not necessarily precisely, sufficient. Ludwig's examples show it describing amounts, sizes, and time spans.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly enough" is a useful phrase for indicating approximate sufficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, consider the level of precision required in your writing and ensure that it accurately reflects the degree of estimation involved. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse in highly formal or technical contexts where greater specificity is necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more or less sufficient

Replaces "roughly" with "more or less" while maintaining the meaning of approximation.

approximately adequate

Substitutes "roughly" with "approximately" and "enough" with "adequate", preserving the sense of being nearly sufficient.

almost sufficient

Simple substitution of 'roughly' with 'almost'.

just about sufficient

Uses "just about" to convey the approximate nature, similar to "roughly".

nearly adequate

Emphasizes the nearness to adequacy, similar to the original phrase.

adequately approximate

Inverts the structure while retaining the core meaning of approximate adequacy.

sufficient in approximation

Rephrases to highlight the approximation aspect of sufficiency.

close to sufficient

Indicates a state that is near sufficiency, conveying a similar meaning.

fairly sufficient

The term "fairly" is swapped for "roughly" to indicate a moderate level of sufficiency.

in the ballpark

An idiomatic expression that signifies an approximate value or quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "roughly enough" to indicate an approximate quantity or degree that is sufficient for a specific purpose. For example, "The funds we have are "roughly enough" to start the project, but we may need additional investments."

What are some alternatives to saying "roughly enough"?

Alternatives include "approximately adequate", "more or less sufficient", or "nearly adequate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

While "roughly enough" is generally acceptable, consider using more precise language in formal or technical writing to enhance clarity. Phrases like "approximately sufficient" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "roughly enough" and "more than enough"?

"Roughly enough" implies a quantity that is just sufficient, whereas "more than enough" indicates there is a surplus. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the quantity or degree you are describing.