roughly yes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly yes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a general agreement or affirmation that is not absolute, often in response to a question or inquiry. Example: "Do you think we can finish the project by Friday?" "Roughly yes, as long as everyone stays on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Roughly, yes.

The New York Times

Asked whether his group's chosen candidate always wins, Mr Hatlang says: "Roughly, yes".India's government has said it is willing to negotiate with these hoodlums, but probably is not.

The Economist

In a play on words, the placards proclaim "SIgue con Chávez" (roughly, "Yes, let's go on with Chávez").

The Economist

"¡Sí se puede!" they chanted in the committee hearing room, echoing a slogan — roughly, "Yes, we can!" — that was a signature phrase of Mr. Chavez's union movement.

The New York Times

His tone is, roughly, "Yes, I'm a bad guy, and my life is a mess, but look at the fun I'm having!" Yuri is the most candid of cynics.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The reaction to this suggestion was roughly this: yes, some staff members had expressed such concerns, and yes, officials knew about the possibility that there was a bubble, but they weren't taking any of us seriously.

The New York Times

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

The Guardian - Music

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

The New York Times

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, yes, oh, yes!

The Guardian - Opinion

Then, 'Yes, yes, yes!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roughly yes" when you want to express agreement with a degree of uncertainty or approximation. It is suitable when precision is not crucial, and a general affirmation suffices.

Common error

Avoid using "roughly yes" when the situation demands a definite "yes" or "no". If accuracy is paramount, provide precise information instead of a qualified affirmation.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial qualifier. The phrase "roughly yes" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies the affirmative response "yes". It indicates that the affirmation is approximate, not precise.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "roughly yes" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate a qualified agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Although relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using "roughly yes", remember that it conveys a level of uncertainty, so ensure it aligns with the intended message. Alternatives like "approximately yes" or "kind of yes" can offer similar nuances. Remember not to use the phrase when a definitive answer is required, and be aware of the subtle differences between the phrase and the suggested alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately yes

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately", offering a slightly more formal synonym.

more or less yes

Uses "more or less" to convey a sense of near agreement or approximation.

kind of yes

Replaces "roughly" with "kind of", indicating a less precise affirmation.

sort of yes

Similar to "kind of yes", suggesting a somewhat hesitant or qualified agreement.

generally yes

Emphasizes that the agreement is true in general, but may have exceptions.

broadly speaking yes

Indicates that the affirmation is true from a wider perspective, not necessarily in every detail.

in essence yes

Highlights that the core of the statement aligns with affirmation, even if the details vary.

basically yes

Implies that the fundamental aspect of the statement aligns with affirmation, with minor exceptions.

effectively yes

Focuses on the practical outcome of the statement aligning with affirmation, even if the process isn't exact.

not exactly but close enough

Offers a more detailed explanation for why the affirmation is not perfect, but still acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "roughly yes" in a sentence?

You can use "roughly yes" to express a qualified agreement. For example, "Do you think this will work? Roughly yes, with some modifications."

What's a good alternative to "roughly yes"?

Alternatives include "approximately yes", "more or less yes", or "kind of yes", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "roughly yes" appropriate in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "roughly yes" is more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using a more precise or definitive statement.

Can "roughly yes" be used to express complete disagreement?

No, "roughly yes" indicates some level of agreement, albeit with reservations. To express disagreement, you would use "no" or a more specific statement of disagreement.