a quarter point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quarter point" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to finance, measurements, or scoring, indicating a value that is one-fourth of a whole point. Example: "The interest rate was raised by a quarter point, affecting many borrowers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Each incorrect answer will cost a quarter point.

The New York Times

Last month, three MPC members favoured a quarter point cut.

The Guardian - Business

MOST central banks change interest rates by a quarter point here or a half point there.

The Economist

The one-year lending rate went down by a quarter point to 4.6%.

The Guardian - Business

Still, a Fed rate cut of at least a quarter point is widely expected.

The New York Times

If there is a cut, it is more likely now to be just a quarter point.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Those are worth a quarter-point.

The Guardian - Sport

Economists had expected a quarter-point increase.

The New York Times

"It's the equivalent of a quarter-point increase in interest".

The New York Times

The committee cut the rate by a quarter-point.

The New York Times - Magazine

They had previously expected a quarter-point cut.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing interest rates or test scores, use "a quarter point" to denote a precise and commonly understood increment. This is especially useful in financial or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a quarter point" when a more general term like "small increase" suffices. Overusing precise language can sometimes clutter writing if the exact increment isn't critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quarter point" functions as a numerical modifier, specifying the magnitude of an increase or decrease. It's commonly used to quantify small changes in rates, scores, or measurements, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a quarter point" is a common and grammatically correct numerical modifier used to express a precise increment, particularly in finance, scoring, and measurement contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for neutral registers and is most frequently found in news and media sources. While interchangeable with "0.25 points", "a quarter point" often provides a more accessible phrasing in general writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context calls for such precision, as a more general term may suffice otherwise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

0.25 points

Replaces the phrase with its numerical equivalent.

one quarter of a point

Uses a more verbose, but equally precise, expression.

a 0.25 increment

Focuses on the increase rather than the specific amount.

a minor point increase

Highlights the small nature of the point increase.

a fractional point

Emphasizes that the point is not a whole number.

a slight point adjustment

Indicates a small alteration in points.

a small portion of a point

Breaks down the point into a smaller, relatable segment.

a minimal point change

Highlights the minimal effect of the point change.

a notch up

Uses a more colloquial term to describe a small increase.

a hair's breadth

Emphasizes the smallness of the increment.

FAQs

How to use "a quarter point" in a sentence?

You can use "a quarter point" to describe a small increment, especially in finance or scoring. For example, "The interest rate increased by "a quarter point".".

What can I say instead of "a quarter point"?

You can use alternatives like "0.25 points", "one quarter of a point", or "a minor point increase" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to write "a quarter point" or "0.25 points"?

Both "a quarter point" and "0.25 points" are correct. The choice depends on the context. "A quarter point" is often preferred in general writing, while "0.25 points" is more common in technical or numerical contexts.

In what situations is it best to avoid using "a quarter point"?

Avoid using "a quarter point" if the exact increment isn't important to the discussion. In such cases, a more general term like "a slight increase" may be more appropriate.