roughly one third

USAGE SUMMARY

"roughly one third" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means approximately one out of three parts or approximately 33%. Example: Roughly one third of the population did not vote in the election.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The Neotropics are exceptionally diverse, containing roughly one third of all extant bird species on Earth.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Roughly one third of subjects experienced measurable improvement in visual acuity with the implant.

Progress in Retinal and Eye Research

Roughly one third (32.5%) of patients had no or poor understanding of their treatment plan.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Roughly one third of hospitalized gunshot patients are uninsured.

Huffington Post

Roughly one third of the squirrels in New York die from lack of body heat.

Vice

By age 18, roughly one third of teenagers were sleeping that much.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

That is roughly one-third of one percent.

The Economist

It is now roughly one-third that.

The New York Times

Haringey's ethnic minorities constitute roughly one-third of the population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's roughly one-third (36%) of all Americans.

The New York Times

Together, they hold roughly one-third of the bank's stock.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision isn't critical, use "roughly one third" to provide a general sense of proportion, avoiding the need for exact figures.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly one third" when precise data is available or required. If you know the exact percentage, use that instead to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly one third" functions as a quantifier, specifically an approximative fraction. It indicates an approximate amount or proportion, falling under the broader category of numerical expressions. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "roughly one third" serves as a convenient way to express an approximate proportion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and acceptable phrase. It is used across various domains, especially in science and news, to provide a general estimate when precision isn't critical. While it's a versatile expression, remember to avoid overstating precision and opt for exact figures when available. Alternatives like "approximately a third" and "around a third" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately a third

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", maintaining a similar level of precision.

around a third

Substitutes "roughly" with "around", conveying an informal approximation.

just about a third

Similar to "around a third", this phrase adds a touch of informality.

close to a third

Emphasizes the proximity to the one-third fraction.

nearly one third

Suggests that the proportion is slightly less than one third.

about thirty percent

Expresses the proportion as a percentage, offering a slightly more specific estimation.

a third or so

Offers a more casual way to approximate the fraction.

something like a third

Expresses uncertainty in the approximation.

a little over thirty percent

Indicates that the proportion is slightly higher than 30%.

in the neighborhood of one third

Uses a more verbose phrasing to indicate an approximate quantity.

FAQs

What does "roughly one third" mean?

The phrase "roughly one third" means approximately one out of three parts, or about 33%. It indicates an estimation, not an exact figure.

How can I use "roughly one third" in a sentence?

You can use "roughly one third" to describe proportions. For example, "Roughly one third of the students passed the exam."

Which is more appropriate, "roughly one third" or "approximately 33%"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "roughly one third" is less precise. Use "approximately 33%" when a more specific estimation is needed.

What are some alternatives to saying "roughly one third"?

Alternatives include phrases like "approximately a third", "around a third", or "about thirty percent".