What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
around
Example
Let's walk around the park and explore different areas. [around: preposition]
Example
He lives somewhere around this neighborhood. [around: adverb]
roughly
Example
The journey will take roughly two hours by car. [roughly: adverb]
Example
I can roughly estimate that there are about 50 people in the room. [roughly: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Around is more commonly used than roughly in everyday language. Around is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while roughly is more specific and limited to describing approximations or estimations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between around and roughly?
While around is generally associated with a casual and informal tone, roughly is slightly more formal. However, both words can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the overall tone of the conversation or writing.