there are roughly

USAGE SUMMARY

"there are roughly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an approximate quantity or estimate. Example: "There are roughly 50 students in the classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Average commutes there are roughly parallel to those in neighborhoods close to downtown Los Angeles.

Forbes

There are roughly 500 Bantus in Lewiston.

The New Yorker

There are roughly nineteen thousand inhabitants.

The New Yorker

There are roughly three options.

The New Yorker

There are roughly 15 mil.

The New York Times - Magazine

There are roughly two kinds of shoplifting.

The New York Times

There are roughly 5,400 species of living anurans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(There are roughly 140 million tax filers each year).

The New York Times

(Now there are roughly four men to each woman).

The New Yorker

There are roughly three ways to do this.

The New York Times

There are roughly eight morning flights from Edinburgh to Heathrow.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for audiences that might not be familiar with idiomatic language, use synonyms like approximately, about, or nearly to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "there are roughly" when you have precise data available. Using an approximation when exact figures exist undermines your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are roughly" functions as an introductory expression to indicate an approximate quantity. It sets the stage for a numerical estimate, softening the precision of the following number, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there are roughly" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an approximation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse writing contexts. While it's generally considered neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "approximately there are" may be preferred in academic or professional settings. Given its prevalence in news, science, and business contexts, mastering its usage is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there are approximately

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

there are about

Substitutes "roughly" with "about", a more casual synonym.

approximately there are

Inverts the order of words, emphasizing the existence more softly than approximate number.

around there are

Inverts the order of words, emphasizing the existence more softly than number.

it is estimated that there are

Shifts the focus to the estimation process rather than the quantity itself.

there are in the neighborhood of

Uses a more descriptive and less precise way to indicate an estimate.

there exist around

Replace both "are" and "roughly" with a slightly more formal alternative.

in the vicinity of

Uses an alternative idiomatic expression to indicate an approximate amount.

in round numbers

Replace the words with a bit more idiomaticity.

it's something like

Introduce a colloquial option to express an estimation.

FAQs

How can I use "there are roughly" in a sentence?

Use "there are roughly" to indicate an approximate number or quantity. For example, "There are roughly 300 students attending the lecture."

What are some alternatives to "there are roughly"?

You can use alternatives like "there are approximately", "there are about", or "there are nearly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "there are roughly" in formal writing?

While "there are roughly" is acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "approximately there are" or "it is estimated that there are" may be preferred in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "there are roughly" and "there are exactly"?

"There are roughly" indicates an approximation, while "there are exactly" signifies a precise count. Use "there are roughly" when you don't have or don't need to state the precise number.