since roughly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "since roughly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate time frame or duration for an event or situation that began in the past and continues to the present. Example: "The project has been in development since roughly 2015, and we expect to see results soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They indicate that poverty rates in Sub-Saharan Africa have barely changed since 1981, although with slight improvements in the years since roughly 1999 (see table).

Columbia University

Which always struck me as strange, since roughly eighty per cent of the country is Christian.

The New Yorker

"Since roughly March, we've kind of been bumping along the bottom," he said.

The New York Times

Also, he hadn't taken a real shower since roughly October of 1998.

The New Yorker

The two-story house she had occupied since roughly 2003 was attached and not particularly grand.

The New York Times

Since roughly the 1980s, trace fossils have been used with limited precision to correlate uppermost Precambrian and basal Cambrian strata.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since roughly 2000, German identity has shifted, says Hans Kundnani, author of a new book, "The Paradox of German Power".

The Economist

Since roughly half of an affected individual's first degree relatives will also have FH, Cascade Screening represents an important tool for patient identification.

Journal of Clinical Lipidology

One area where gender politics is less important is in planning Electoral College strategy, since roughly equal numbers of men and women vote in each state.

The New York Times

And since roughly the same time, the British boundary-pushing lingerie company Agent Provocateur has sold its Cupid maternity-nursing bra.

The New York Times

Despite Mr Bouteflika's promises, unemployment, already 30%, is likely to grow, since roughly 60% of the population is below the age of 25.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "since roughly", ensure the context clearly indicates the starting point or event being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Since roughly the start of the pandemic..." provides a clearer time frame.

Common error

Avoid using "since roughly" excessively in formal writing where precise data is expected. Overusing approximations can weaken the credibility of your statements. Provide exact figures when available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since roughly" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating an approximate starting point in time. It modifies the verb in the main clause, specifying when an action or state began. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "since roughly" is a commonly used adverbial phrase to indicate an approximate starting point in time. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, the phrase serves to provide an estimated timeframe, acknowledging a degree of uncertainty. While versatile, it's advisable to prioritize precise data over approximations in formal writing. Ludwig's examples show that alternatives like "approximately since" or "about since" can be used for slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately since

Reverses the order of words but maintains the same meaning.

about since

Uses "about" for a less formal approximation.

around since

Similar to "about since", suggesting an estimation.

in the neighborhood of since

More verbose, emphasizing the approximate nature.

in the vicinity of since

Similar to "in the neighborhood of since" but slightly more formal.

give or take since

Indicates a range, implying a possible variation.

more or less since

Suggests a general approximation with slight deviations.

in the ballpark of since

Informal way to indicate approximation, common in spoken English.

estimated since

Directly states that the time is an estimate.

in the region of since

Similar to "in the vicinity of since", indicating an approximate area.

FAQs

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

Use "since roughly" to indicate an approximate starting point in time. For example, "The company's profits have increased "since roughly" 2010."

What's a more formal alternative to "since roughly"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "since approximately" or "since about". These alternatives provide a similar meaning with a slightly more refined style.

Is it appropriate to use "since roughly" in academic writing?

While acceptable, it's best to use precise dates or figures in academic writing whenever possible. If an approximation is necessary, ensure it's clearly indicated and justified. Alternatives such as "since approximately" might be preferred.

What is the difference between "since roughly" and "since exactly"?

"Since roughly" indicates an estimation, while "since exactly" implies a precise point in time. Using "since exactly" suggests that the starting point is known with certainty.