a quarter behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quarter behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is 15 minutes late or delayed, often in reference to time. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for 3 PM, but she arrived a quarter behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Lowell McAdam, the chief executive of Verizon Wireless, who will succeed Ivan Seidenberg as chief executive of the parent company on Aug. 1, acknowledged that the company was "maybe a quarter behind what we talked about in January".

The New York Times - Tech

In terms of states for the second time in the last two years, New York beat out Massachusetts on overall number of deals and funding in a quarter (behind California).

TechCrunch

He enjoyed Adams as a tutor, but by December, Johnson was already a quarter behind in his student fees, and he was forced to return home.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Talent, the Oaks winner, eventually ran on from well off the pace to finish second, a length-and-a-quarter behind Leading Light, with the same distance back to Galileo Rock in third.

The Guardian - Sport

Late in the fourth quarter, behind, 22-13, Trojansjadvancednced to the 1-yard line.

The New York Times - Sports

"There was a wreck where the problem started, and then another wreck a quarter-lap behind," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Cherigat, running with a bounce that masked his tiredness, finished more than a minute ahead of three other Kenyans: Robert Cheboror (2 11 49), who was almost a quarter-mile behind, Martin Lel (2 13 38) and Stephen Kiogora (2 14 34).

The New York Times - Sports

His only defeat came as Ever Fortune finished seven-and-a-quarter lengths behind winner Valley Queen in the sixth race.

BBC

Pyro, the betting favorite at 7-2, finished third, five and a quarter lengths behind Mambo in Seattle.

The New York Times - Sports

One night last month aboard the A, she said, a magician was trying to pull a quarter from behind a girl's ear.

The New York Times

Mounted on each wall is a rusting, light green, 4-by-3-foot iron plate, weighing about a quarter ton, behind which rests each clock's motor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a quarter behind" to indicate a delay, ensure the context clearly defines what the delay is relative to. For example, "The project is a quarter behind schedule."

Common error

Avoid using "a quarter behind" when referring to large discrepancies or delays. The phrase implies a relatively minor lag, so choose more descriptive language if the delay is substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quarter behind" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the degree to which something is delayed or lagging. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, indicating a state of being slightly behind schedule or expected performance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a quarter behind" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a slight delay or lag, as confirmed by Ludwig. While suitable for various contexts, including news, sports, and general conversation, it might be considered less formal. For highly formal or scientific writing, more precise alternatives like "slightly delayed" or "marginally trailing" may be preferred. Remember to use it when conveying minor delays and avoid it for substantial ones to maintain clarity and accuracy. With that said, avoid excessive formality unless the objective is to show formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fraction late

This alternative is very similar in structure but replaces "quarter" with "fraction" to express a small amount of delay.

slightly delayed

This alternative replaces the fraction "a quarter" with the adjective "slightly" to denote a small degree of lateness.

a shade behind

This option utilizes the noun 'shade' which implies a small degree of difference or lateness.

somewhat behind

This option is shorter and uses a more general term to describe the state of being behind.

a bit late

This alternative uses more informal terms to indicate a small delay.

lagging slightly

This alternative replaces the descriptive noun with a verb that conveys a similar meaning.

running a little late

This is a common idiomatic expression indicating a small delay in arriving or completing something.

marginally trailing

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of following slightly behind.

slightly off pace

This alternative is particularly apt when discussing performance or progress relative to a desired speed or rate.

a little behind schedule

This option provides more context, specifying that the delay is in relation to a schedule.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a quarter behind"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly delayed", "a bit late", or "marginally trailing" depending on the context.

What does "a quarter behind" mean?

The phrase "a quarter behind" typically means slightly delayed or lagging, often indicating a minor discrepancy in time, progress, or performance. It implies something is not quite on schedule or up to par.

Is it appropriate to use "a quarter behind" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a quarter behind" may be considered somewhat informal. In formal writing, alternatives like "slightly delayed" or "marginally trailing" might be more suitable.

When can I use "a quarter behind" in a sentence?

You can use "a quarter behind" when you want to convey that something is a little delayed or lagging. For instance, "The project is a quarter behind schedule", or "The team was a quarter behind in sales for the month".