roughly match

USAGE SUMMARY

"roughly match" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is more or less similar or in close agreement with something else. Example: Although our opinions on politics differ, our views on environmental conservation roughly match.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those numbers roughly match the competition's.

The New York Times

His colleagues say The Post's staunchly conservative editorials roughly match his views.

The New York Times

When only native-born Hispanics are counted, the gaps narrow; dropout and college endurance statistics roughly match those of blacks.

The New York Times

In theory the interest rates indicated by India's swap market should roughly match those in the government-bond market.

The Economist

That would roughly match global emissions over the past three decades.Conversely, when forests are cleared or die back because of global warming, they emit carbon.

The Economist

It returns a list of birds that roughly match the details you select out of a long list of parameters, including location, size, colors and wing shape.

The New York Times - Tech

With 1,051 yards rushing and 556 yards receiving, Rice is on pace to roughly match his statistics of last season.

The New York Times - Sports

The paths in the stories roughly match paths on aerial surveys from the 1960s to the 2000s, indicating a clear period of use of more than 20 years.

The Guardian

But the many remarkable differences might seem to roughly match the scale of the journey, as measured by its duration and its difficulties.

The Guardian - Travel

Even when there was drama, as in 1976 or 1992, the spotlight was focused entirely on the election's outcome – with a presumption that the popular vote and the electoral vote would roughly match one another.

The New York Times

The industry remains minute on many measures: its total assets roughly match those of Lloyds TSB, Britain's fifth-largest bank (though some firms that meet sharia-compliant criteria may attract Islamic investors without realising it).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "roughly match", ensure the context clarifies the acceptable margin of error or difference. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the degree of similarity intended.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly match" when the items being compared are significantly different. Overstating the similarity can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly match" functions as a verb phrase, where "roughly" modifies the verb "match". It indicates an approximate correspondence or similarity between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "roughly match" is a versatile and widely used expression that indicates an approximate similarity or correspondence. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use in diverse contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal communication. While it's essential to consider the acceptable margin of error when using this phrase, avoiding overstatements is crucial for maintaining credibility. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "closely correspond" or "approximately align" to tailor your writing to the desired level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closely correspond

Indicates a slightly stronger degree of similarity than "roughly match".

are broadly similar

Suggests similarity on a larger scale, with some differences expected.

approximately align

Focuses on the alignment aspect, suggesting a similar direction or trend.

share similarities

Highlights that both things have common characteristics.

generally agree

Emphasizes the agreement between two sets of data or information.

bear a resemblance

Highlights the similarity in appearance or characteristics.

have a likeness

A more formal way to express a similarity or resemblance.

nearly equate

Implies that the two things are almost equal or equivalent.

mostly coincide

Indicates that the two things occur at the same time or place to a large extent.

echo one another

Suggests a reflective or repeating similarity.

FAQs

How to use "roughly match" in a sentence?

You can use "roughly match" to indicate that two things are similar but not exactly the same. For example, "The estimated cost roughly matches our initial budget".

What can I say instead of "roughly match"?

You can use alternatives like "closely correspond", "approximately align", or "generally agree" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "roughly match" or "exactly match"?

The choice between "roughly match" and "exactly match" depends on the degree of similarity you want to express. Use "roughly match" when the items are similar but not identical, and "exactly match" when they are identical.

What's the difference between "roughly match" and "closely resemble"?

"Roughly match" emphasizes a general agreement or similarity, while "closely resemble" suggests a similarity in appearance or characteristics. The best choice depends on the specific aspect you are comparing.