What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
roughly
Example
There were roughly 50 people at the party. [roughly: adverb]
Example
I have a rough idea of what we need to do next. [rough: adjective]
nearly
Example
We nearly missed our flight because of traffic. [nearly: adverb]
Example
The store is nearly empty, we should go in now. [nearly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nearly is more commonly used than roughly in everyday language. Nearly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while roughly is less common and refers to a rough or approximate estimate.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between roughly and nearly?
Nearly can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while roughly is typically associated with a more casual or informal tone.
