roughly the same time

USAGE SUMMARY

"roughly the same time" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that two events occurred within a similar period of time, but not necessarily at an exact same time. Example Sentence: I got home from work around 6pm, and my partner arrived roughly the same time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For both couples, sons arrived at roughly the same time.

The New York Times

Mr. Hu was holding forth at roughly the same time.

The New York Times - Sports

It is therefore accepted that stars in binary systems formed at roughly the same time.

Cornell University

It was observed that whole connected clusters stopped smoking at roughly the same time.

Cornell University

Both my stepbrother and I went away at roughly the same time.

Harvard University

Sample on a weekly basis at roughly the same time and write down what you see.

Cornell University

At roughly the same time, the daughter of another rebellious Kazakh publisher was found murdered.

The New York Times

Reagan came in roughly the same time as Thatcher, and Clinton's Third Way approach mirrored Blair's.

The New York Times

At roughly the same time, other antivirus companies were receiving similar reports.

The New York Times

Coincidentally, Alig fell from grace at roughly the same time that Culkin did.

The Guardian - Film

The success comes at roughly the same time Chamberlain was injured last summer.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly the same time" when precision is not required, and an approximate indication of when events occurred is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly the same time" when you have precise temporal data available. In such cases, provide the exact times or durations for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly the same time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify when an action occurred in relation to another. It provides a non-specific temporal reference, indicating approximation. The numerous examples on Ludwig demonstrate its common use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly the same time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that events occurred in close temporal proximity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly employed in news, academic writing, and general conversation, offering a convenient way to relate events without requiring precise timing. While precise alternatives exist, understanding the appropriate use of this phrase ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around the same time

Emphasizes approximation in the timing of events.

at about the same time

Uses "about" to indicate an estimated time.

at approximately the same time

Adds a level of formality while maintaining the meaning of temporal proximity.

in the same period

Focuses on a defined duration of time, rather than a specific moment.

concurrently

Highlights the simultaneous or parallel nature of events.

nearly simultaneously

Similar to simultaneously, with a slightly lessened emphasis on exactness.

simultaneously

Emphasizes events happening at the exact same instant.

more or less simultaneously

Highlights near simultaneity.

in close succession

Highlights that the events happen one after another with minimal delay.

in the vicinity of the same time

Uses more descriptive language to convey an approximate timing.

FAQs

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

Use "roughly the same time" to indicate that two or more events occurred close to each other in time, but not necessarily at the exact same moment. For example: "The two companies launched their products at roughly the same time."

What is an alternative to saying "roughly the same time"?

You can use alternatives like "around the same time", "at approximately the same time", or "in the same period" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "roughly the same time" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate. While not as precise as providing exact times, "roughly the same time" is suitable for formal writing when an approximation is sufficient. More formal alternatives are "at approximately the same time" or "concurrently".

What's the difference between "roughly the same time" and "simultaneously"?

"Roughly the same time" implies that events occurred close together but not necessarily at the exact same moment. "Simultaneously", on the other hand, means that events occurred at the exact same instant.