roughly speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"roughly speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something in a summary or general way, or to express something that is not completely certain. For example: "Roughly speaking, our budget for the project should be around $10,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roughly speaking".

The Guardian

Roughly speaking, it still is.

The Economist

"I mean, roughly speaking".

The Guardian - Travel

Roughly speaking, 3 working lifetimes.

The Guardian - Business

'My life is roughly speaking over.

The Guardian - Books

For conservatives, roughly speaking, these behaviors cause poverty.

The New York Times

Roughly speaking, dopamine is impulse; serotonin is inhibition and organization.

The New York Times - Magazine

The country could go, roughly speaking, in four directions.

The Economist

Voluntary debt exchanges worked, roughly speaking, with investors accepting haircuts.

The Guardian - Business

Roughly speaking, it can be divided into four parts.

The Guardian

I had to write, and I was acting, roughly speaking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly speaking" to preface a statement that is not precise but provides a general understanding. It is best used when specific details are less important than the overall concept.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly speaking" excessively within a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing seem less confident and more vague. Instead, vary your language with more precise terms or alternative introductory phrases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "roughly speaking" is to serve as a discourse marker, indicating that the speaker or writer is providing an approximation or a generalization. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely acceptable and useful in setting expectations for less precise statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly speaking" is a versatile phrase used to introduce approximations or generalizations. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It functions as a discourse marker to signal that a statement should not be taken as entirely precise, but rather as a general overview. While suitable for many contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media and scientific writing. For formal settings, consider using more precise alternatives. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound less confident, so vary your language where possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loosely speaking

Emphasizes a lack of precision or strictness in the statement.

generally speaking

Indicates a broad overview without specific details.

in general terms

Suggests a simplified explanation using broad concepts.

more or less

Implies an approximation with minor variations acceptable.

approximately speaking

Highlights the use of estimation rather than exactness.

in broad strokes

Focuses on outlining the main points without intricate details.

to put it simply

Introduces a simplified explanation, often for clarity.

for the most part

Indicates that something is mainly true, but with exceptions.

on the whole

Suggests a general truth based on overall observation.

by and large

Similar to "on the whole", indicating a general statement.

FAQs

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

Use "roughly speaking" to introduce an approximation or generalization. For instance, "Roughly speaking, the project will take about three months to complete."

What are some alternatives to "roughly speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "generally speaking", "more or less", or "in general terms" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While "roughly speaking" is acceptable, it is more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In highly formal writing, consider using more precise language or a phrase like "in approximate terms".

What does "roughly speaking" imply?

"Roughly speaking" implies that the statement is an approximation and may not be entirely accurate. It sets the expectation that details are being simplified for the sake of general understanding.