and a quarter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and a quarter" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a fraction, specifically one-fourth, often in reference to time or measurements. Example: "The meeting will start at three and a quarter, so please be on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Four and a quarter".

The New Yorker

It takes two and a quarter hours.

Independent

Lunch is a buck and a quarter.

The New York Times

Well, our lump is an inch and a quarter.

The New York Times

"She's never gone a mile and a quarter before".

The New York Times - Sports

And a quarter teaspoon, daily, of the four-marvels powder.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

A mile-and-a quarter is no problem to him.

BBC

Cambridge won by four-and-a-quarter lengths.

The Guardian - Sport

The mile-and-a-quarter distance is his game.

The New York Times - Sports

Dalaman airport is an hour-and-a-quarter away.

The Guardian - Travel

Each engine has a one-and-a-quarter pint.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "and a quarter" to describe time, ensure clarity by specifying the unit of time (e.g., "an hour and a quarter").

Common error

Avoid using "and a quarter" when a more precise fraction or decimal is required for technical accuracy. If you need to use a precise fraction use "and a one fourth" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "and a quarter" is as a modifier indicating a fractional quantity. This phrase typically follows a whole number to express an additional one-fourth, as Ludwig AI examples demonstrate in contexts related to distance (e.g., "a mile and a quarter") or time (e.g., "an hour and a quarter").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "and a quarter" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a fractional quantity, specifically one-fourth. As Ludwig AI demonstrates, it appears frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and general writing, indicating a measurement or proportion. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to ensure precision when necessary by opting for decimals or specific fractions in technical contexts. Consider alternatives like "plus one fourth" or "25 percent" for clarity or formality. The best practice is to provide context to ensure that its usage is clear. "And a quarter" is a versatile phrase for expressing quantities, as long as the fractional part is appropriately understood in context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plus one fourth

Replaces "a quarter" with its numerical equivalent; maintains the additive relationship.

and 25 percent

Expresses "a quarter" as a percentage; offers a numerical alternative.

and one part in four

Provides a more descriptive version of the fraction; emphasizes the proportional aspect.

and a fourth part

Slightly more formal rephrasing; maintains the fractional meaning.

and a segment

Highlights the segmentation aspect of a whole. Slightly more mathematical.

and a fraction

Replaces the specific quarter with a general fraction, reducing the level of specificity.

and a portion

Generalizes "a quarter" to a non-specific portion; reduces precision.

and a percentage

Generalizes the amount as a percentage without a specific value, removing the exact quantity.

and a fragment

Similar to 'portion', but suggests an incomplete part.

and some

Broadest substitution, simply indicates addition of an unspecified amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "and a quarter" to express a fraction or portion, typically meaning one-fourth or 25%. For example, "I ran a mile "and a quarter"." or "The meeting lasted an hour "and a quarter"".

What's a more formal alternative to "and a quarter"?

While "and a quarter" is generally acceptable, you might use "and one-fourth" or "and twenty-five percent" in more formal or technical contexts.

Is it correct to say "a quarter and" instead of "and a quarter"?

The phrase "a quarter and" is grammatically incorrect and not idiomatic. The correct phrasing is ""and a quarter"" when adding a fractional part.

When should I use a decimal instead of "and a quarter"?

Use a decimal (e.g., 1.25) when precision is important or in technical writing where decimals are preferred. "And a quarter" is more common in general language and less formal contexts.