A quarter to a third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A quarter to a third" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a fraction or a comparison, but it lacks clarity and context for proper usage. Example: "The recipe calls for a quarter to a third of a cup of sugar, depending on your taste."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A quarter to a third of heart attack patients have diabetes, even though diabetics constitute just 9 percent of the population.

The New York Times

"Last month it jumped up from about a quarter to a third.

The New York Times

Moreover, the auctioneers estimate that they account for only a quarter to a third of Conan Doyle's papers.

The Economist

Historically, the court agreed to hear between a quarter to a third of its cases by just four votes.

The New York Times

These voters can make up anywhere between a quarter to a third of the party's electoral coalition.

The New York Times

Only a quarter to a third of Scots appear to want to see an independent Scotland separate from the UK.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I want it to work because I'm sending a quarter to a third of my salary there.

The Guardian

In a typical year, about a quarter to a third of them decide not to sign on for another term.

The New York Times

About half the women also reported nausea and a quarter to a third said they experienced headaches, vomiting or diarrhea.

The New York Times

In many multilateral efforts, the United States picks up a quarter to a third of the tab.

The New York Times - Science

Something like a quarter to a third of American children are living with one or no parents, in chaotic neighborhoods with failing schools.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical correctness, rephrase "a quarter to a third" as "between a quarter and a third" or "from one-fourth to one-third". This ensures the intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "a quarter to a third" when you mean "between a quarter and a third". The former is grammatically incorrect and can be misinterpreted as relating a time or deficit, rather than a range of proportions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quarter to a third" functions as a quantifier or descriptor of proportion, attempting to define a range between 25% and 33%. However, it's grammatically flawed, as pointed out by Ludwig. Despite its frequent appearance, alternatives should be favored.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "a quarter to a third" is commonly found, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect. It aims to express a range between 25% and 33%, appearing frequently in News & Media, Science, and to a lesser extent in Academic contexts. Despite its prevalence, it's advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "between a quarter and a third" or "from one-fourth to one-third" to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretation. Using these alternatives enhances precision and maintains a more professional tone, aligning with best writing practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Between 25% and 33%

Replaces the fractional expression with a percentage range for greater precision.

From one-fourth to one-third

Substitutes the article "a" with number "one" for a slightly more formal tone.

Approximately 25 to 33 percent

Adds "approximately" to soften the precision and uses a more formal style.

Around 25% to 30%

Uses "around" to indicate an approximation and shortens the range slightly.

Roughly one-fourth to one-third

Employs "roughly" to convey an estimate and uses the fractional form.

In the range of 25 to 33%

Frames the proportion as existing "in the range", highlighting the boundaries.

Between a fourth and a third

Simplifies the phrasing using 'a fourth' instead of 'a quarter'.

From a quarter up to a third

Uses "up to" to emphasize the upper limit of the range.

About a quarter or a third

Uses 'about' to approximate and offers the options separately instead of a range.

A significant minority

Replaces the numerical range with a qualitative description of the proportion.

FAQs

Is "a quarter to a third" grammatically correct?

No, "a quarter to a third" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would be "between "a quarter and a third"" or "from "one-fourth to one-third"".

What does "a quarter to a third" mean?

The phrase "a quarter to a third" is intended to express a range or proportion, indicating a value between 25% and 33%. However, due to its grammatical incorrectness, it can lead to confusion. Use "between "a quarter and a third"" for better clarity.

How can I rephrase "a quarter to a third" in a sentence?

You can replace "a quarter to a third" with phrases like "from "one-fourth to one-third"", "between "25 percent and 33 percent"", or "approximately "25 to 30 percent"" depending on the level of precision required.

When is it appropriate to use "a quarter to a third"?

While the phrase appears in various sources, it's best to avoid using "a quarter to a third" due to its grammatical incorrectness. Opt for clearer alternatives like "between "a quarter and a third"" to ensure your message is accurately understood.