just a quarter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just a quarter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount, typically in the context of money or time, indicating a quarter of a dollar or a short duration. Example: "I only need just a quarter to buy a piece of candy from the vending machine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Goldman bought in at just a quarter of that.

The New York Times

Just a quarter of us live today in declining places.

The Washington Post

Just a quarter of District residents earn that much money.

The Washington Post

Just a quarter of the skiing is devoted to each.

The New York Times - Travel

In reality, just a quarter of people identify as such.

The Guardian

Membership was going up in just a quarter of them.

The Guardian

Output at OGX is just a quarter of what had been expected.

The New York Times

Just a quarter of those used the glitch-ridden federal website.

The Economist

Ten years ago, four of them accounted for just a quarter of it.

The New Yorker

Just a quarter of Americans think it is a good time to get a job.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

So far this year, the ECB has reversed just a quarter-point of the increases.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just a quarter" to emphasize a surprisingly small amount or proportion. It adds a subtle layer of commentary to the quantity being described.

Common error

While acceptable in most writing, avoid overuse of "just a quarter" in highly formal or scientific papers. Opt for more precise numerical representations like "25%" or "one-quarter" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just a quarter" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a fraction equal to one-fourth. It is commonly used to describe amounts, proportions, or durations, often with an implicit or explicit sense of the quantity being relatively small.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just a quarter" is a versatile and widely used phrase for indicating a small quantity or proportion, equivalent to one-fourth. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and commonly used in written English. It functions primarily as a quantifier with a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, including news, media, and informal communication. While more formal settings might prefer "one quarter" or "25%", "just a quarter" effectively conveys a sense of a limited amount. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the surprisingly small size of something, but avoid overusing it in extremely formal documents for professional purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a quarter

Emphasizes the small quantity.

one quarter

Replaces "just a" with "one", maintaining the fraction.

merely a quarter

Similar to "only a quarter" but with a slightly different tone.

simply a quarter

Highlights the straightforward nature of the quantity.

a fourth

Uses the ordinal form of the fraction.

25 percent

Expresses the fraction as a percentage.

a scant quarter

Emphasizes how small the amount is.

a quarter part

Adds 'part' for emphasis.

a fraction of one fourth

Specifies it's a fraction equal to one fourth

a small fraction

Generalizes the amount as a small portion, not necessarily exactly one-fourth.

FAQs

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

Use "just a quarter" to indicate a small portion or amount, as in "Just a quarter of the students passed the exam" or "I only need "just a quarter" of an hour to finish this task".

What phrases are similar to "just a quarter"?

Similar phrases include "only a quarter", "a fourth", or "25 percent". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "just a quarter of"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to say "just a quarter of" followed by a noun. For example, "Just a quarter of the apples were ripe."

When should I use "one quarter" instead of "just a quarter"?

Use "one quarter" in more formal or technical writing where precision is paramount. "Just a quarter" is suitable for less formal contexts where you want to emphasize the smallness of the quantity.