a quarter of a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quarter of a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific duration of time that is equal to 250 milliseconds. Example: "The car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just a quarter of a second, showcasing its impressive speed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bronte trailed her by a quarter of a second.

The Washington Post

But that information refers to a spray lasting just a quarter of a second.

The New York Times

His time shaved nearly a quarter of a second off Moses's mark, a huge chunk.

The New York Times - Sports

These movements, the researchers showed, stopped the gecko from slipping within a quarter of a second.

The New York Times - Science

They stayed first and second the rest of the race, the margin of victory being a quarter of a second.

The New York Times - Sports

Dr. Crenshaw and his colleagues programmed the rib spreader's onboard computer to stop advancing it within a quarter of a second after sensing one of these pops.

The New York Times - Science

The danger is to buzz too early, in which case the contestant is penalized and "locked out" for roughly a quarter of a second.

The New York Times

For 13 laps Lorenzo maintained a lead of a quarter of a second, but there was always the suspicion that Marquez was just being kind to the crowd.

Independent

One watch told the time to a quarter of a second, its hands spinning furiously; another, from the French Revolution, ran on decimal time.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nadal's team found that even the tiniest amounts of BPA -- a quarter of a billionth of a gram -- did the trick.

Huffington Post

Election security about a quarter of a page, second only to "space cybersecurity".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is key, use "250 milliseconds" instead of "a quarter of a second" for technical or scientific writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a quarter of a second" loosely when more precise measurements are available or necessary for clarity. For instance, in scientific research, rely on more specific units like milliseconds or microseconds for enhanced accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quarter of a second" functions as a quantifying noun phrase specifying a duration of time. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing the speed of events, reaction times, and technical specifications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quarter of a second" is a frequently used phrase to denote a short time duration, equivalent to 250 milliseconds. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While versatile, using "250 milliseconds" may be preferable in technical writing for increased precision. Common alternatives include "one-fourth of a second" or simply "a fraction of a second", depending on the desired level of detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

250 milliseconds

Expresses the same duration using metric measurement.

One-fourth of a second

Numerically equivalent, using fractional representation.

A fraction of a second

Indicates a very short, but undefined, duration.

A split second

Suggests an even shorter, nearly imperceptible amount of time.

Half a second

Represents a longer duration, twice the length of the original phrase.

A few milliseconds

Highlights a much shorter duration, measured in thousandths of a second.

A brief moment

Describes a short, imprecisely defined duration.

An instant

Implies a very short, almost instantaneous amount of time.

A short interval

Refers to a brief period of time, without specifying its exact length.

Almost immediately

Describes an action occurring very quickly after another.

FAQs

How do you represent "a quarter of a second" numerically?

The phrase "a quarter of a second" is numerically equivalent to 0.25 seconds or 250 milliseconds.

What is an alternative way to say "a quarter of a second"?

You can use alternatives like "250 milliseconds" or "one-fourth of a second", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a quarter of a second" or "250 milliseconds"?

Using "250 milliseconds" is often preferred in technical or scientific contexts where precision is important. "A quarter of a second" is suitable for more general or informal writing.

How significant is "a quarter of a second" in reaction time?

"A quarter of a second" can be crucial in many situations, such as sports, driving, or any scenario requiring quick reflexes. Even small fractions of a second can make a difference.