roughly ten years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly ten years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a duration of time that is not exact, often in contexts like discussions about experience, age, or timeframes. Example: "The project took roughly ten years to complete, from initial concept to final implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A spokesman for TransUnion said in an e-mail that the company has offered a print version of credit reports in Spanish for roughly ten years.

The New York Times

That event was over twenty years ago and it is now roughly ten years since I shed the religious indoctrination of my childhood.

The Guardian - Opinion

Barb says that they talked every day for roughly ten years, learning minute details of each other's lives, but they didn't keep in touch when Barb became a cop.

The New Yorker

"We've been operating Sure Start for roughly ten years.

BBC

The DADSS system is still roughly ten years away, though, so it won't be in next year's vehicles.

TechCrunch

He used a chart to show that today's smartphones are trending roughly ten years behind PCs in terms of raw computing power.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

billion, roughly three years after the merger.

The New York Times

Roughly twenty-five yeago ago now.

The New Yorker

I first met Andrew roughly twenty-five yeago ago, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The New Yorker

The sum equaled roughly three years of his salary.

The New York Times

In roughly three years, it has changed to 'bought'bought

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for scientific or technical audiences, consider using "approximately ten years" for a slightly more precise and formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly ten years" when the exact duration is known or can be easily determined. Overusing approximations can undermine the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly ten years" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying a period. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate the time frame over which an action occurs or a state exists. Ludwig examples show it often describes durations in news and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "roughly ten years" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an approximate duration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, suggesting it's appropriate when estimating a period. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it offers a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. While similar alternatives exist, such as "approximately a decade", the choice depends on the desired level of formality and precision. Remember to avoid overusing approximations when exact data is available to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately a decade

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately" and "ten years" with "a decade", maintaining a formal tone.

about ten years

Uses "about" instead of "roughly" offering a more casual alternative.

around ten years

Substitutes "roughly" with "around", providing a slightly less formal option.

nearly a decade

Emphasizes the closeness to a full decade.

close to ten years

Indicates the period is just below, but not precisely, ten years.

ten years or so

Adds "or so" to explicitly indicate the duration is approximate.

in the vicinity of ten years

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing an approximate duration.

in the neighborhood of ten years

Uses "in the neighborhood of" to suggest an estimation of time.

something like ten years

Uses "something like" offering a more casual alternative.

a period of about a decade

Reformulates the phrase to highlight the period and use a more formal tone.

FAQs

What does "roughly ten years" mean?

The phrase "roughly ten years" means approximately ten years. It indicates an estimated duration of time, suggesting that the actual period may be slightly more or less than ten years.

What can I say instead of "roughly ten years"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately a decade", "about ten years", or "around ten years" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "roughly ten years" in formal writing?

Yes, "roughly ten years" is generally acceptable in formal writing, though "approximately a decade" might be preferred for a more precise tone.

How accurate is "roughly ten years"?

"Roughly ten years" implies an estimation. The actual duration could be anywhere from, say, eight to twelve years, but it depends on the specific context and what the speaker or writer intends to convey.