a few quarters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few quarters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of quarters, often in the context of time or currency. Example: "I have been saving for a new bike for a few quarters now, and I finally have enough money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it may take a few quarters.

The New York Times

A few quarters of distraction would have to do.

The New York Times - Sports

There are big statistical discrepancies in a few quarters.

The New York Times

Nets fans cheer, sometimes quite loudly, but they take a few quarters to warm up.

The New York Times - Sports

What's more, it would mean a few quarters more per bushel.

MIT Technology Review

"And it missed a few quarters' earnings, which gave people an excuse to neglect it".

The New York Times

"We have a ray of optimism now that we haven't had for a few quarters".

The New York Times

"One [of the dangers] is complacency, generated by a few quarters of good economic data.

The Guardian

It's going to take a few quarters to figure out what a public Facebook is going to look like".

The New York Times - Tech

It took a few quarters for businesses to begin to invest, as usual, but then the money poured in.

The New York Times

Interrupt that earnings stream for even a few quarters, and current equity valuations begin to look sickeningly high.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When talking about economic trends, be specific about the exact number of quarters if that level of detail matters; otherwise, "a few quarters" is suitable for general discussions.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clarifying if you mean calendar quarters versus portions of a sports game or coin currency. For example, say "a few calendar quarters" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few quarters" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied or stated), indicating a limited quantity of time or monetary units. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few quarters" is a versatile expression commonly used to denote a short period, usually financial quarters, or a small amount of the coin currency. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across different types of sources. The analysis indicates that it is most prevalent in news and media, business, and sports contexts. While generally neutral, the specific level of formality can shift based on where the phrase appears. When writing, clarify whether calendar quarters or another meaning is intended to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "several quarters" and "a couple of quarters", offering similar meanings with slight variations. It is important to be precise in order to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several quarters

Emphasizes a slightly larger, though still indefinite, number of quarters.

a couple of quarters

Indicates exactly two quarters, a more precise but similar concept.

some quarters

Implies an unspecified quantity of quarters, fewer than 'many' but more than 'one'.

a small number of quarters

Formally expresses the idea of a limited quantity of quarters.

a handful of quarters

Suggests a small, manageable amount of quarters, emphasizing quantity rather than time.

several months

Replaces quarters with the direct measurement of equivalent length time.

a brief period

Shifts the focus to the duration implied by 'quarters', suggesting a short timeframe.

a short while

Replaces the specific time unit with a more general expression of brevity.

a short spell

Suggests a temporary period, less precise but conveying a similar idea.

a limited duration

Formally expresses a short period of time, emphasizing restriction.

FAQs

How can I use "a few quarters" in a sentence?

You can use "a few quarters" to refer to a short period, as in, "The company's performance declined for "a few quarters" before recovering." Or to refer to currency: "I found "a few quarters" in my coat pocket."

What are some alternatives to saying "a few quarters"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "several months", "a couple of terms", or "a short period of time" instead of "a few quarters".

Is it better to say "a few quarters" or "several quarters"?

Both "a few quarters" and "several quarters" are acceptable. "A few" usually implies a smaller number than "several", but in most contexts, they are interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "a few quarters" in financial discussions?

It's suitable when discussing trends or performance over a relatively short timeframe without needing to specify the exact number of quarters. For precise financial reporting, specifying the exact number is better.