about, approximately, approximately about, around, roughly, roughly about

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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