a quarter turn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quarter turn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a rotation or movement that is 90 degrees, often in contexts like mechanics, sports, or dance. Example: "To unlock the door, you need to make a quarter turn to the right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

She made a quarter turn and complied.

The New York Times - Arts

"Turn the slide a quarter turn, Cliff," Farnsworth called.

The New Yorker

Todd gave the lambs a quarter turn every half hour.

The New Yorker

Give it a quarter turn, and repeat the rolling, folding and turning five more times.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Virtually every detail was wrested from real life and given perhaps a quarter turn to protect the innocent/guilty.

The New York Times

An eight-cylinder engine fires each time its crankshaft makes a quarter turn if the intervals between impulses are equal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Turn the pastry by 90 degrees (a quarter-turn).

The Washington Post

It consists of a cartwheel with a quarter-turn followed by a backward somersault.

The New York Times - Sports

Do not tighten the nuts more than a quarter-turn beyond hand-tight.

The New York Times

Give each piece a quarter-turn to make crisscross markings, and turn fish over.

The New York Times - Food

Turn the "spout" of the whale clockwise and after a quarter-turn you can feel it locking on.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, be specific about the direction of the "quarter turn" (clockwise or counterclockwise) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a quarter turn" when a different degree of rotation is intended. Be precise; if it's a half turn, say "a half turn" or "180-degree turn".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quarter turn" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier to describe the extent of rotation or movement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a broad range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a quarter turn" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a 90-degree rotation. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use across diverse sources, from news articles to instructional wikis. When using the phrase, clarity is key; specifying the direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) is essential. While alternatives like "ninety-degree rotation" offer more precision, "a quarter turn" remains a versatile and easily understood term for everyday instructions and descriptions. Keep in mind not to confuse it with other degrees of rotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rotate a quarter

Shortened version of the original phrase, still retaining the same basic meaning.

turn 90 degrees

A more concise imperative instruction for a ninety-degree turn.

ninety-degree rotation

Specifies the rotation angle numerically, offering a more precise alternative.

rotate by 90 degrees

Provides an imperative instruction to rotate something by a specific amount.

rotate it a quarter of the way

Uses a fraction to indicate how much to rotate.

move it a quarter turn

Replaces "turn" with "move" offering a different way to express rotation.

right-angle turn

Emphasizes the geometric aspect of the turn, highlighting the right angle formed.

shift by a quarter turn

Emphasizes a shift in orientation rather than a complete rotation.

partial rotation

Focuses on the incomplete nature of the rotation, suitable when the exact angle is not crucial.

slight adjustment

Generalizes the concept to a minor change in orientation or position, not necessarily a rotation.

FAQs

How do I use "a quarter turn" in a sentence?

You can use "a quarter turn" to describe a rotation of 90 degrees. For example, "Turn the knob "a quarter turn" to unlock the door."

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

You can use alternatives like "ninety-degree rotation", "right-angle turn", or "partial rotation" depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "a quarter turn" or "90-degree turn"?

Both phrases are accurate, but "90-degree turn" is more precise, specifying the exact angle. "A quarter turn" is more general and implies a 90-degree rotation.

In what contexts is "a quarter turn" commonly used?

"A quarter turn" is frequently used in instructions for cooking, DIY projects, mechanics, and dance, where precise but easily visualized rotations are required.