roughly half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate an approximate quantity that is around 50% of a whole. Example: "Roughly half of the participants in the survey reported feeling satisfied with the service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roughly half center on mortgages.

The New York Times

Roughly half are Hispanic.

The Washington Post

Roughly half had epidurals.

The New York Times - Health

Roughly half of these are obstacle races.

Independent

Roughly half of them will be female.

Independent

Roughly half of those involved crashes.

The New York Times

Roughly half of the women responded.

The New York Times

The PlayStation 3 sold roughly half that.

The New Yorker

That is roughly half of its capacity.

The Economist

Roughly half of those were alcoholics.

The Guardian

"Roughly half goes to taxes," Mara said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly half" when you want to indicate an approximate quantity close to 50% without requiring exact precision. It's suitable for general descriptions and summaries.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly half" when more accurate data is available. If you have precise figures, use them instead of an approximation to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly half" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate an approximate quantity. As Ludwig indicates, it is generally considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly half" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an approximate quantity close to 50%. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While suitable for a wide range of contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "approximately fifty percent". The phrase's utility lies in its ability to convey a general sense of proportion without requiring exact precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about half

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of an approximation around 50%.

approximately fifty percent

Uses a more explicit percentage, providing a slightly more precise feel, though still indicating an approximation.

around fifty percent

Similar to "approximately fifty percent" but can feel slightly more casual.

close to fifty percent

Emphasizes the proximity to 50%, suggesting the actual value might be slightly higher or lower.

near fifty percent

A more concise way of saying "close to fifty percent", maintaining the sense of approximation.

fifty percent, give or take

Explicitly acknowledges a margin of error or uncertainty around the 50% mark.

half, more or less

Similar to "fifty percent, give or take", emphasizing the approximate nature of the quantity.

in the neighborhood of fifty percent

Uses a more descriptive and less direct way of indicating an approximate value around 50%.

a little under half

Suggests the quantity is slightly less than 50%, adding a nuance.

a little over half

Suggests the quantity is slightly more than 50%, adding a nuance.

FAQs

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

Use "roughly half" to indicate an approximate amount that is near 50%. For example, "Roughly half of the students in the class are women."

What phrases are similar to "roughly half"?

Similar phrases include "approximately fifty percent", "about half", or "around fifty percent". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

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

While "roughly half" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "approximately fifty percent" might be preferred in academic or professional contexts where greater precision is valued.

What's the difference between "roughly half" and "exactly half"?

"Roughly half" indicates an estimation, while "exactly half" implies a precise division into two equal parts. Use "exactly half" only when the quantity is known to be precisely 50%.