roughly two million

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly two million" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when providing an approximate numerical value, often in contexts such as statistics, population estimates, or financial figures. Example: "The city has a population of roughly two million residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two million: Roughly two million customers lost power in Michael.

The Washington Post

Records filed by the Karzai campaign indicate that it raised and spent roughly two million dollars.

The New Yorker

There are roughly two million tractor-trailers on American highways, says ATDynamics.

The New York Times

Air Force pilots fly roughly two million hours a year around the world.

The New York Times

The traffic restrictions have removed roughly two million vehicles from city streets.

The New York Times - Sports

Albanians make up more than 90percentt of Kosovo's roughly two million people.

The New York Times

In the Soviet Union, the 1989 census numbered roughly two million people who claimed German nationality.

The New York Times

The parade's organizers deemed the parade a success, estimating the number of spectators at roughly two million.

The New York Times

By 1997, General Dostum had built a private fief in Mazar-i-Sharif, population roughly two million.

The New York Times

A nature lover's dream, LaSalle County draws roughly two million visitors a year to its rugged cliffs and canyons.

The New York Times

Around the globe, especially in third world countries, tuberculosis is rampant, killing roughly two million people annually.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly two million" when you need to convey an approximate number without being overly precise. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts where exact figures are not critical.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences in a paragraph with "roughly" as it can make your writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "approximately", "around", or "nearly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly two million" functions as a numerical quantifier, providing an approximate value. It modifies a noun, indicating an estimated quantity, as shown in Ludwig's examples from various news sources. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and accurate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "roughly two million" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an approximate quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, providing estimates for populations, costs, or other numerical data. While acceptable in formal writing, consider more precise language in scientific or technical documents. Synonyms include "approximately two million" and "around two million". When using this phrase, avoid overuse in consecutive sentences to maintain writing clarity and variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about two million

A simpler and more common way to express approximation.

approximately two million

Uses a more formal synonym for "roughly".

close to two million

Highlights proximity to the specified number.

around two million

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the quantity.

nearly two million

Indicates the value is close to, but slightly less than, two million.

almost two million

Similar to 'nearly two million'.

in the neighborhood of two million

More descriptive and less direct.

in the vicinity of two million

Similar to 'in the neighborhood of' but slightly more formal.

in the ballpark of two million

Informal way of saying 'approximately'.

a couple of million

More casual phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "roughly two million" in a sentence?

You can use "roughly two million" to indicate an approximate quantity, as in "The city has "roughly two million" residents".

What are some alternatives to "roughly two million"?

Alternatives include "approximately two million", "around two million", or "nearly two million", depending on the level of formality and desired nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "roughly two million" in formal writing?

Yes, "roughly two million" is generally acceptable in formal writing, although more precise language might be preferred in technical or scientific contexts where exactness is crucial. "Approximately two million" could be a more formal alternative.

What does "roughly" mean in "roughly two million"?

In this context, "roughly" indicates an estimation or approximation. It suggests the actual number is close to two million but not necessarily exactly two million. Using "about two million" carries a similar meaning.