almost a quarter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost a quarter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a quantity that is close to 25% of a whole. Example: "The project is almost a quarter complete, and we expect to finish it by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That was almost a quarter of the population.

The New Yorker

Since then, it has fallen by almost a quarter.

The Economist

British visitors accounted for almost a quarter of the total.

The New York Times

Over-all costs fell by almost a quarter.

The New Yorker

Almost a quarter of nurses are aged 45-54.

The Economist

But it has almost a quarter of the world's prisoners.

The New York Times

It was found in almost a quarter of the deaths.

The New York Times

Almost a quarter of its advertising revenues come from retail.

The Guardian - Business

Almost a quarter of young people are unemployed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Almost a quarter-century later, all that has changed.

The New York Times - Books

Almost a quarter-century later, nothing has yet been done.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost a quarter" to convey an approximate quantity, especially when precision is not critical. It's a more descriptive alternative to "around 25%".

Common error

Avoid using "almost a quarter" when the actual quantity is significantly different from 25%. In such cases, using a more precise percentage or a different descriptive phrase is better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost a quarter" functions as a modifier, specifically quantifying a portion that is slightly less than 25%. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is both grammatically sound and broadly applicable across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost a quarter" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate a quantity that is slightly less than 25%. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It functions as a modifier, serving to convey an approximate proportion across diverse contexts, primarily in news and scientific domains. When precision is key, consider utilizing precise percentages; however, when an approximation suffices, "almost a quarter" provides an effective and descriptive alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly 25 percent

Replaces the qualitative "almost" with a quantitative representation, focusing on the percentage.

close to one fourth

Uses a fraction instead of a percentage, offering a slightly different perspective on the proportion.

just under a quarter

Emphasizes that the amount is slightly below a quarter.

approximately 23 percent

Provides a more specific numerical approximation of the quantity.

around 24 percent

Offers a general estimate, suitable for contexts where precision isn't crucial.

not quite a quarter

Highlights that the amount falls short of being a full quarter.

slightly less than a quarter

Explicitly states the quantity is smaller than a quarter.

almost one in four

Expresses the proportion in terms of individuals or items within a group.

a little under 25%

Combines qualitative and quantitative elements to describe the proportion.

in the neighborhood of 23%

Suggests an approximate quantity, using informal language.

FAQs

How can I use "almost a quarter" in a sentence?

You can use "almost a quarter" to describe a quantity that is slightly less than 25% of something. For example, "Almost a quarter of the students failed the exam."

What are some alternatives to "almost a quarter"?

Some alternatives include "nearly 25 percent", "close to one fourth", or "just under a quarter". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "almost a quarter" or a specific percentage?

Using "almost a quarter" is appropriate when an approximate value is sufficient. If precise data is available and relevant, a specific percentage like "23%" is more accurate.

What's the difference between "almost a quarter" and "more than a quarter"?

"Almost a quarter" signifies a value slightly below 25%, while "more than a quarter" indicates a value exceeding 25%. They represent opposite ends of the 25% threshold.