IELTS Vocabulary: Understanding and Using ‘Roughly’
Learn how to use ‘roughly’ in IELTS contexts. This video covers the meaning, usage, and common mistakes associated with this versatile adverb for estimations and approximations.
Imagine you’re at a party and someone asks you how many people are there. You look around quickly and say, There are roughly fifty people here.
This everyday use of the word roughly is what we’ll explore in today’s IELTS vocabulary lesson.
Word type:
Roughly is an adverb. This means it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Meaning: Roughly has two main meanings.
First, it means approximately or about. Second, it can mean in a rough or harsh manner. For IELTS purposes, we’ll focus on the first meaning, as it’s more commonly used in academic and professional contexts.
Word history: The word roughly comes from the Old English word ruh, meaning hairy or untrimmed. Over time, its meaning expanded to include the idea of approximation.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for roughly include approximately, about, around, and more or less. These words can often be used interchangeably in many contexts.
Antonyms: Antonyms for roughly include exactly, precisely, and accurately. These words emphasize specificity rather than approximation.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples of how to use roughly in sentences. The project will take roughly three weeks to complete.
There are roughly seven billion people on Earth. The two cities are roughly equidistant from the capital.
I earn roughly the same amount as my colleague. Common errors in use: One common mistake is using roughly with exact numbers or percentages.
For example, it would be incorrect to say The temperature is roughly 20 degrees Celsius if you know the exact temperature.
Instead, use roughly when you’re estimating or rounding numbers. Another error is confusing roughly with exactly.
Remember, roughly always implies an approximation, not an exact figure. To wrap up, remember that roughly is a useful word for estimations and approximations.
It’s particularly helpful in the IELTS exam when discussing statistics, trends, or general quantities.
Practice using roughly in your speaking and writing to become more comfortable with it. The more you use it, the more natural it will become in your vocabulary.
