about a fourth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about a fourth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a quantity or proportion that is roughly one-fourth of a whole. Example: "The project is about a fourth complete, and we expect to finish it by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 2008, about a fourth of all voters were contacted in some way by the Obama campaign.

The New York Times

What about a fourth?

The Guardian

"How about a fourth official's board?

The Guardian - Sport

He is already thinking about a fourth term.

The New York Times

Only about a fourth are atheists or agnostics.

The New York Times

Unspeakable anxiety about locked-in syndrome, about a fourth world.

The New Yorker

It replaces about a fourth of them in 2015.

The Washington Post

Was he talking about a fourth straight Yankee world championship?

The New York Times - Sports

Conversely, the Gore voters were only about a fourth as disappointed.

The New Yorker

The researchers could obtain demographic information on only about a fourth of the suicide attacks.

The New York Times

REPORTER AT LARGE about a Fourth of July Rally at Tammany Hall.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about a fourth", ensure the context implies an approximation rather than a precise measurement. For exact values, use "one-fourth" or "25 percent".

Common error

Avoid using "about a fourth" when you have precise data available. Using approximations when exact figures are known can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about a fourth" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating an approximate proportion or quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about a fourth" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate an approximate quantity or proportion equal to one-quarter. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general discussions, where precise figures are not crucial. Remember to use it when an approximation is acceptable and avoid it when exact data is available to maintain clarity and credibility. Alternatives such as "approximately one-quarter" or "roughly 25 percent" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately one quarter

Uses "approximately" for a less precise estimate and replaces "fourth" with "quarter".

roughly one fourth

Substitutes "about" with "roughly", maintaining the same meaning.

around a quarter

Replaces "about a fourth" with "around a quarter", offering a slightly more casual tone.

in the neighborhood of 25 percent

Expresses the proportion in percentage form, providing a numerical approximation.

close to a quarter

Indicates a value near to but not exactly a quarter.

nearly one fourth

Implies a slightly smaller quantity than a fourth.

just about a quarter

Adds emphasis to the approximation using "just about".

something like one quarter

Uses a more informal expression to indicate an approximate amount.

a fraction close to one fourth

Uses the term "fraction" to represent the quantity, emphasizing the approximation.

a considerable portion

Describes the amount as a notable segment, without precise quantification.

FAQs

How can I use "about a fourth" in a sentence?

You can use "about a fourth" to describe a proportion or quantity that is approximately 25%. For example, "About a fourth of the students passed the exam".

What's the difference between "about a fourth" and "a quarter"?

"About a fourth" implies an approximation, while "a quarter" typically refers to a precise fraction. You might say "about a fourth" if you don't have the exact figures, but "a quarter" when you do.

Is it correct to say "approximately a fourth" instead of "about a fourth"?

Yes, "approximately a fourth" is a correct and more formal alternative to "about a fourth", both indicating an estimation of one-quarter.

What can I say instead of "about a fourth"?

You can use alternatives like "roughly one quarter", "around 25 percent", or "close to a quarter" depending on the context.