About and around often replace the more formal approximately. If there is a difference, it is that approximately suggests a more careful calculation. Avoid redundant wording such as roughly about or approximately about; instead use about, approximately, around or roughly.
- We waited about 30 minutes for the bus.
- Teresa won approximately $500 last week with Lotto 6/49.
- Redundant wording:
Alessandro’s father is roughly about 40 years old. - Standard usage:
Alessandro’s father is roughly (or around or about) 40 years old.
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