roughly twenty years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly twenty years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a duration of time that is approximately twenty years, often in contexts like age, experience, or historical timelines. Example: "The project took roughly twenty years to complete, reflecting the complexity of the work involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Over roughly twenty years, my friendship with Svetlana Boym contained several periods of near-silence, lasting a year or two.

The New Yorker

Although impressive, both monarchs are roughly twenty years off from competing with the longest serving rulers of all time.

Independent

I counter by pleading lack of practice, not having put bat to ball for roughly twenty years, and am grudgingly excused.

The New Yorker

Roughly twenty years later Dos Pilas was attacked by Calakmul and was soundly defeated.

Wikipedia

Paul Bettany was cast as Lord Melbourne despite being roughly twenty years too young for the part.

Wikipedia

Roughly twenty years ago, he broached the idea of a minor league team to the mayor of the town.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 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 describing time spans, use "roughly twenty years" to indicate an estimate, especially when precision isn't necessary or available. This adds a level of imprecision, useful in historical or biographical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly twenty years" when you have exact figures. If you know the precise duration, use the specific number of years instead to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly twenty years" functions as an adverbial modifier of time, indicating an approximate duration. It provides context by specifying how long ago something happened or how long something lasted, similar to examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "roughly twenty years" is a grammatically correct and usable way to indicate an approximate duration of two decades. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its usage in diverse contexts such as news, wikis, and scientific articles. While not extremely common, it serves as a practical way to convey an estimated timeframe without strict precision. When writing, remember to use it when precision is not mandatory and to avoid it if you possess exact figures. Alternatives include phrases such as "approximately twenty years" or "about twenty years".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately twenty years

Uses a more formal synonym for 'roughly'.

about twenty years

A simpler, more casual way of expressing the same timeframe.

in the neighborhood of twenty years

Emphasizes the estimation aspect.

around two decades

Uses 'decades' to specify the timeframe, adding a bit of specificity.

for nearly twenty years

Suggests the period is just short of twenty years.

almost twenty years

Similar to 'nearly', indicates approaching twenty years.

close to twenty years

Highlights the approximation of the time period.

two decades or so

More colloquial way to describe the time period.

in the vicinity of twenty years

Formal and precise, emphasizing the approximate nature.

spanning two decades

Focuses on the duration covering the period of time.

FAQs

What does "roughly twenty years" mean?

The phrase "roughly twenty years" means approximately twenty years. It indicates an estimated time frame, suggesting the period is not exactly twenty years but close to it.

How accurate is the term "roughly twenty years"?

The term "roughly twenty years" implies an estimation, so it's not perfectly accurate. The time period can vary a bit, but it's generally understood to mean something in the range of 18 to 22 years.

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

You can use alternatives like "approximately twenty years", "about twenty years", or "around two decades" depending on the context.

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

While "roughly twenty years" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "approximately twenty years" or "in the vicinity of twenty years" may be more suitable for formal contexts.