approximately a quarter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately a quarter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate an estimate of one-fourth of a whole, often in contexts involving measurements, statistics, or time. Example: "Approximately a quarter of the participants reported feeling satisfied with the service provided."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Rose's upkeep, according to Charles Bowden, is approximately a quarter of a million dollars a year).

The New Yorker

Approximately a quarter of Salisbury's 15,000 prisoners died, many during its last few months.

The New York Times

It put immense strain on our immediate manager, and ultimately led to approximately a quarter of staff leaving".

The Guardian - Film

This represents a huge demographic shift: approximately a quarter of people will get older without ever having had children.

The Guardian

The pitch is dark (approximately a quarter tone below modern concert pitch), the articulation bold, the textures volatile.

Independent

at one of the Army Air Forces navigation schools noticed that his secretary's telephone rang every morning at approximately a quarter to twelve.

The New Yorker

HSBC's contribution is approximately a quarter of the annual proceeds from the levy, which was introduced after taxpayers bailed out banks during the financial crisis.

The Guardian - Business

Approximately a quarter of the water remaining in Mead is below that dead-pool line and, therefore, untappable by users below the dam.

The New Yorker

Israel has occupied and colonised the Palestinian West Bank, which is approximately a quarter the size of the nation of Israel as recognised by the international community.

The Guardian - Opinion

The residential sector is responsible for approximately a quarter of energy consumption in Europe.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Approximately a quarter of the physicians included in the present study exhibited signs of depression.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approximately a quarter", ensure the context involves estimations or non-precise figures. It's suitable when exactness isn't crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "approximately a quarter" when precise figures are available. If you know the exact percentage or fraction, use that instead to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately a quarter" functions as a quantifier, specifically an approximate fractional quantifier. It indicates an estimated portion, roughly equivalent to 25% of a whole. As Ludwig AI highlights, this expression is common across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approximately a quarter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that something is close to one-fourth of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It's versatile, appearing in various contexts from scientific research to news reports. While alternatives like "almost a quarter" or "roughly a quarter" exist, this phrase offers a balanced level of formality suitable for diverse audiences. When exact figures are unavailable or unnecessary, "approximately a quarter" serves as a valuable tool for communicating general quantities effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost a quarter

This alternative suggests a quantity slightly less than a quarter.

roughly a quarter

This term implies an estimation of one-fourth, without precise accuracy.

nearly a quarter

This option conveys that the amount is close to, but not quite, a quarter.

about a quarter

This phrase signifies an approximation around the value of one-fourth.

around a quarter

Similar to 'about', this indicates an amount near to a quarter.

in the neighborhood of 25%

This alternative uses percentage to represent one-fourth in more explicit terms, keeping an approximate value.

in the vicinity of 25%

Like 'in the neighborhood of', this phrase specifies a percentage close to a quarter.

something like 25%

This option presents one-fourth as a rough percentage.

a little less than a third

It expresses more generically that we are not far from taking the third part of something.

in the range of 20 to 30 percent

This phrase presents one-fourth as a range of values that can represent the approximation.

FAQs

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

You can use "approximately a quarter" to describe a quantity that is close to, but not exactly, one-fourth of the total. For example, "Approximately a quarter of the students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to saying "approximately a quarter"?

You can use alternatives like "almost a quarter", "roughly a quarter", or "about a quarter" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "approximately a quarter" or "about a quarter"?

"Approximately a quarter" is slightly more formal than "about a quarter", but both are generally acceptable in most contexts.

When should I use "approximately a quarter" instead of a precise percentage?

Use "approximately a quarter" when you don't have the exact figures or when providing a general estimate is sufficient. If the precise percentage is known and relevant, use that instead.