roughly half of all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly half of all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate an approximate quantity or proportion of a total group or category. Example: "Roughly half of all respondents indicated that they preferred online shopping over in-store shopping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These states control roughly half of all India's public spending.

The Economist

Roughly half of all children under five are malnourished.

The Economist

Very roughly, half of all marriages end in divorce.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Roughly half of all managers don't trust their leaders.

Harvard Business Review

Today roughly half of all bank accounts in Kenya are with Equity.

The Economist

Easily available guns, used in roughly half of all murders, are increasingly popular.

The Economist

Roughly half of all new businesses fail within the first five years, according to federal data.

The New York Times

The Cayenne accounts for roughly half of all Porsche sales in the United States.

The New York Times

Roughly half of all Americans still lived without it until the end of the nineteen-twenties.

The New Yorker

Except here's the telling part: roughly half of all death-penalty juries don't vote for death.

The New York Times - Magazine

Roughly half of all cars bought so far with the rebates have been domestic brands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly half of all" to introduce a general statistic or estimate when precision is not critical. For example, "Roughly half of all startups fail within the first five years."

Common error

Avoid using "roughly half of all" when you have access to precise data. If the exact percentage is known, use it for greater accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly half of all" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating an approximate proportion. It modifies a noun phrase to express that the quantity is near 50%. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "roughly half of all" is a common quantifier used to indicate an approximate quantity, around 50% of a given group or category. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While "roughly half of all" is generally acceptable, using more precise data is preferable when available. Ludwig's AI confirms the general usability of the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately half of all

Replaces 'roughly' with 'approximately', offering a more formal tone.

nearly half of all

Substitutes 'roughly' with 'nearly', indicating a quantity very close to half.

almost half of all

Uses 'almost' instead of 'roughly', suggesting a slightly lower level of precision.

about half of all

Replaces 'roughly' with 'about', providing a more casual and general estimate.

around half of all

Employs 'around' in place of 'roughly', conveying a similar sense of approximation.

close to half of all

Indicates the quantity is not exactly half, but near to it.

in the vicinity of half of all

Presents a more verbose and formal way of saying 'approximately half'.

half or so of all

A less formal way of indicating approximately half.

something like half of all

Implies the amount is similar to half but not precise.

in the neighborhood of half of all

A colloquial expression meaning approximately half.

FAQs

What does "roughly half of all" mean?

The phrase "roughly half of all" indicates an approximate quantity, meaning around 50% of a total group or category. It implies an estimate rather than a precise measurement.

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

You can use "roughly half of all" to introduce a general statistic or estimate. For example: "Roughly half of all students prefer online learning."

What are some alternatives to "roughly half of all"?

Alternatives include "approximately half of all", "nearly half of all", or "about half of all". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

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

While acceptable, "roughly half of all" is more suitable for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using "approximately half of all" or providing the exact percentage if available.