roughly equivalent to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly equivalent to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe two or more things that are similar, but not identical. For example: "The new model is roughly equivalent to the old one, but with a few minor improvements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A euro is roughly equivalent to a dollar.

The New York Times - Food

My wife's income, roughly equivalent to my own, remained unchanged.

The New York Times

The rise is roughly equivalent to the UK's average salary.

Independent

Which, translated from Washingtonese, means something roughly equivalent to "yes".

The New York Times

That would be roughly equivalent to current imports from Kuwait.

The New York Times

Wrights, from the Old English "wryhta", roughly equivalent to "worker", were craftsmen, builders or repairers.

The Guardian

That is roughly equivalent to the price of a vintage MGB sports car.

The New York Times

The original incorrectly said that 300m yuan was roughly equivalent to £2.4m rather than £29.5m.

The Guardian

It is roughly equivalent to the U.S. taking in thirteen million refugees.

The New Yorker

A unit is roughly equivalent to one small glass of wine.

The Guardian

It is roughly equivalent to the gross domestic product of Ecuador.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "roughly equivalent to", ensure the context clearly indicates the degree of approximation. Be specific about what aspects are similar.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly equivalent to" when a more precise comparison is possible. If you have exact figures, provide them instead of approximating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly equivalent to" functions as a qualifier indicating that two things are similar in value, amount, or effect, without being precisely the same. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly equivalent to" is a versatile phrase used to express an approximation or similarity between two entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and general writing. While alternatives like "approximately equal to" or "comparable to" exist, the key is to use precise language when accuracy is crucial and to avoid overstating the equivalence. The phrase serves to simplify complex information by providing relatable comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately equal to

Emphasizes numerical or measurable similarity, often used in more formal contexts.

more or less the same as

Indicates a general similarity, often used in informal contexts.

virtually identical to

Suggests a very high degree of similarity, bordering on exactness.

comparable to

Highlights the possibility of comparison, often used when discussing relative merits or characteristics.

of a similar order of magnitude

Focuses on the scale or size of something, common in scientific or technical discussions.

on par with

Implies equality in quality or status.

in the same ballpark as

Indicates an approximate range or level, used informally.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or similarity in nature or character, often used in literary contexts.

in the vicinity of

Indicates a value close to a specific number or quantity.

much like

Indicates a resemblance in appearance, character, or behavior.

FAQs

How do I use "roughly equivalent to" in a sentence?

Use "roughly equivalent to" to indicate that two things are similar but not exactly the same. For example, "A euro is "roughly equivalent to" a dollar".

What are some alternatives to saying "roughly equivalent to"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately equal to", "more or less the same as", or "comparable to" depending on the context.

Is "roughly equivalent to" formal or informal?

"Roughly equivalent to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly technical or scientific writing, consider using more precise language when possible.

What's the difference between "roughly equivalent to" and "exactly equivalent to"?

"Roughly equivalent to" indicates an approximation, while "exactly equivalent to" means the two things are identical. Use "roughly equivalent to" when precision isn't necessary or possible, and "exactly equivalent to" when the values are the same.