roughly one-fourth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly one-fourth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate an approximate fraction or portion of something, typically in contexts involving measurements, statistics, or comparisons. Example: "Roughly one-fourth of the participants reported feeling satisfied with the service."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

We estimate that roughly one-fourth of the gene content of any one of these strains lacks orthologous content in the other two (range = 19.9-to-27.8%).

Plosone

Roughly one-fourth are games, and competitors, like those building phones based on Google's Android, are scrambling to catch up.

Forbes

Roughly one-fourth (26%) of messages from users highly anticipate his performance, both on-stage and backstage through his Twitter account @rickygervais".

Huffington Post

The region covers roughly one-fourth of Brazil, including forested valleys, semiarid highlands, and vast wetlands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These sectors of the economy account for roughly one-fourth of GDP.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Roughly one-fourth of Iran's labour force is engaged in manufacturing and construction.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

That is roughly one-third of one percent.

The Economist

Roughly one-fifth of the population depends on public assistance or benefits to survive.

Forbes

In general the Core will make up roughly one fourth of the courses a student will take in the Engineering School.

Columbia University

It is now roughly one-third that.

The New York Times

Roughly one third of eyes remain blind after treatment.

Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly one-fourth" when you want to indicate an approximate proportion without needing to be exact. This phrase works well in contexts where precision is not critical, such as describing general trends or estimates.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly one-fourth" when precise figures are available or necessary. In situations requiring accuracy, provide the exact percentage or fraction instead of relying on approximations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly one-fourth" functions as an adjectival modifier, quantifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, positioning it to provide an approximate measurement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

34%

News & Media

34%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "roughly one-fourth" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate an approximate quantity or proportion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and broad applicability make it suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific reports to news articles. While it is essential to avoid its use when precision is required, it serves as an effective tool for conveying general estimates. Its frequency across authoritative sources like the Encyclopedia Britannica and The New York Times underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately a quarter

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately" for a slightly more formal tone; uses "a quarter" instead of the numerical fraction.

about 25 percent

Uses a percentage to specify the proportion, which can be more precise or clearer in some contexts.

around one-fourth

Substitutes "roughly" with "around", maintaining a similar level of approximation.

nearly a quarter

Replaces "roughly" with "nearly", suggesting the proportion is slightly less than one-fourth.

close to 25%

Expresses the proportion as a percentage and uses "close to" to indicate approximation.

in the neighborhood of one-fourth

More descriptive and informal, indicating an approximate range around one-fourth.

a little over a fifth

Approximates one-fourth by using a nearby fraction (one-fifth) and indicating it's slightly more.

somewhere around 25 out of 100

Breaks down the proportion in terms of "out of 100" for emphasis or clarity.

a considerable minority

Shifts from numerical precision to indicating a notable but not majority portion.

substantially less than half

Indicates the amount is less than half, specifying the proportion is significantly less.

FAQs

How can I use "roughly one-fourth" in a sentence?

You can use "roughly one-fourth" to indicate an approximate quantity or proportion, such as: "Roughly one-fourth of the students participated in the survey."

What are some alternatives to saying "roughly one-fourth"?

Alternatives include phrases like "approximately a quarter", "about 25 percent", or "around one-fourth", which all convey a similar sense of approximation.

Is it more accurate to say "roughly one-fourth" or "25%"?

While "25%" is a precise value, "roughly one-fourth" implies an approximation. Use "25%" when accuracy is important and "roughly one-fourth" when an estimate is sufficient.

When is it appropriate to use "roughly one-fourth" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "roughly one-fourth" when you want to give a general idea of a proportion without needing to be exact. This is common in descriptive writing, casual reports, or when precise data is unavailable.