roughly the same as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'roughly the same as' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to compare two things that are similar in some way, but not exactly the same. Here is an example: "The flavor of this ice cream is roughly the same as the one I had last week, but it has a slightly stronger vanilla taste."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mass and radius roughly the same as the Earth.

Cornell University

This year's results are roughly the same as last year's.

The New York Times

These percentages are roughly the same as before Sept. 11.

The New York Times

Horsepower is roughly the same, as is fuel efficiency.

The New York Times

Each costs roughly the same as a cheap laptop.

The New Yorker

They are roughly the same as the population of Southampton.

The Guardian

Cod quotas remained roughly the same as last year.

The New York Times

"That's roughly the same as the cost of our mission".

The Guardian - Film

Lee's fee was roughly the same as Taka's.

The New Yorker

Its unemployment rate is 14.6%, roughly the same as Ireland's.

The Economist

That's roughly the same as the Wall Street consensus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "roughly the same as", ensure that the items you are comparing are indeed similar enough to justify the approximation. Avoid using it when precision is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly the same as" when there are significant differences between the items being compared. This can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly the same as" functions as a prepositional phrase used for comparison. It modifies a noun or noun phrase by indicating that something is similar to something else, without being exactly identical. As Ludwig AI points out, this usage is considered correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly the same as" is a prepositional phrase used to express an approximate similarity between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and common in written English. It is versatile and suitable for a variety of contexts, but it's important to avoid overstating the similarity. Consider more precise language or alternative phrases when exactness matters. The phrase sees very common use in News & Media, followed by Science and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost identical to

Implies a very high degree of similarity, bordering on exactness.

virtually equivalent to

Highlights that any difference is negligible or insignificant.

substantially similar to

Emphasizes that the core characteristics are alike, even if minor details differ.

pretty much the same as

More informal, suggesting a close resemblance without needing precise accuracy.

comparable to

Suggests that the items are similar enough to be compared directly.

of the same order as

Used primarily for numerical values, indicating a similar magnitude.

in the neighborhood of

Informal and emphasizes an approximate quantity rather than exact equality.

along the lines of

Suggests a similarity in concept or direction rather than a direct comparison.

not far off from

Indicates an approximation that is close, but not exact.

in the same ballpark as

An informal idiom for 'approximately the same'.

FAQs

How can I use "roughly the same as" in a sentence?

Use "roughly the same as" to indicate that two things are similar but not identical. For example, "The price of this car is roughly the same as that one."

What's a more formal way to say "roughly the same as"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "approximately equivalent to", "substantially similar to", or "virtually equivalent to".

Is it okay to use "roughly the same as" in academic writing?

While acceptable, academic writing often benefits from more precise language. If possible, provide specific data or use a more formal alternative. However, "roughly the same as" can be appropriate when exact figures are unavailable or unnecessary.

What's the difference between "roughly the same as" and "exactly the same as"?

"Roughly the same as" indicates an approximation, while "exactly the same as" implies complete identity. Use "roughly the same as" when there are slight differences. If two thing are identical, you can also consider to use phrases such as "almost identical to".