roughly work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly work" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express an approximation of how something functions or operates, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "The system doesn't roughly work; it needs to be fixed for better performance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

You know it's a man, and you can roughly work out his age.

Independent

The enduring symbol of the Holocaust, whose English meaning is roughly "Work will make you free," pictured here before it was stolen, was taken last December and later recovered.

The New York Times

Then you're left to wander down corridors, up staircases and hope that you will eventually find your way to the right office (you can roughly work out where an office is by the seniority - the higher up the building, the more important you are, because the higher offices are the ones most likely to catch the Kampala breezes).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The roughly worked surfaces have a modern, if stilted, physicality and are peppered with apparent riffs on Gerhard Richter.

The New York Times - Arts

The Oldowan tools were mainly sharp stone flakes and roughly worked rock cores, while the more sophisticated tools displayed signs of symmetry, uniformity and planning.

The New York Times - Science

In a roughly worked 1949 painting, a bulge of deep green intrudes into a field of orange amid scattered ovals that suggest eyes.

The New York Times - Arts

In the country as a whole, he said, prices per square meter are 5,500 to 6,000 Swiss francs (which roughly works out to $470 to $515 per square foot).

The New York Times

The sausages were naturally top drawer, but that glossy, buttery, roughly worked mash, properly seasoned and brilliantly laced with sweet caramelised onions, was awesome.

The Guardian - Travel

Granted, I live in New York City, but that roughly works out to four Dots per room for me.

TechCrunch

To put that in perspective, Nokia sold 25.3 million devices in North America in 2006, roughly working out to 486k a week.

TechCrunch

This change is absolutely great for innovation; but when Microsoft had undue control over the software world, there was something arguably soothing (as a consumer) about everything roughly working together.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "roughly work" with more precise alternatives like "generally function" or "approximately operate". This enhances readability and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly work" as a catch-all phrase for describing how something functions. Instead, specify the aspect you are approximating, such as the calculation, operation, or performance. This provides context and enhances the informative value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly work" functions as an attempt to describe how something operates in an imprecise or approximate manner. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it lacks grammatical correctness and clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "roughly work" appears in some contexts, it's not considered standard English and can be unclear. Ludwig AI suggests it is grammatically incorrect, and while it attempts to convey an approximate function, more precise alternatives like "generally function" or "approximately operate" are preferable for clarity and grammatical correctness. Considering the low frequency and potential for misinterpretation, it's best to avoid using "roughly work" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally function

Implies a typical way of operating, focusing on the overall manner something works.

approximately operate

Highlights the idea of working in an estimated or imprecise manner.

work in a rough manner

Emphasizes the imperfect or unfinished quality of the work itself.

roughly calculate

Focuses on estimating a result rather than the process of working.

approximate performance

Shifts the focus to the achieved result rather than the active effort.

estimate the work

Implies calculating the amount or type of work needed.

function imprecisely

Highlights a lack of precision in the way something works.

work approximately

Similar to the original phrase but might still sound slightly awkward.

perform crudely

Stresses the unrefined or unskilled nature of the work.

operate sketchily

Suggests an incomplete or superficial way of functioning.

FAQs

What does "roughly work" mean?

The phrase "roughly work" is not standard English and lacks a clear definition. It might be intended to convey an approximate or imprecise way of functioning, but it's better to use alternatives like "generally function" or "approximately operate" for clarity.

How can I rephrase "roughly work" in a sentence?

Instead of "roughly work", consider using phrases like "work in a rough manner", "generally function", or "approximately operate" to better convey the intended meaning. The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "roughly work"?

No, "roughly work" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's advisable to use alternative phrases that are more precise and adhere to grammatical conventions.

What is a more professional way to express the idea of "roughly work"?

In professional contexts, avoid "roughly work" and opt for alternatives like "approximately operate" or describe the specific action that is being approximated, such as "roughly calculate".