nearly a fourth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly a fourth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an approximate fraction or portion of something, typically in contexts involving measurements, statistics, or comparisons. Example: "The survey revealed that nearly a fourth of the participants preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

So at the very least, nearly a fourth of all Americans are either poor or rich.

The New York Times

The Jets yielded three touchdown passes and nearly a fourth – twice.

The New York Times

That means nearly a fourth of all Afghan soldiers quit or desert every year.

The New York Times

(Nearly a fourth of the unemployed have been without work for four years or more).

The New York Times

But the American gulag filled up, with nonviolent drug offenders' accounting for nearly a fourth of all people in prison.

The New York Times

It would apparently require removing 62 members already in their seats, nearly a fourth of the Parliament.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Nearly a third are in China alone.

The Economist

GDP shrank by nearly a tenth.

The Economist

"Nearly a third lighter than I thought".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Applications are up nearly a fifth, apparently.

The Guardian

Assassinations also rose by nearly a third.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly a fourth", ensure the context clearly indicates what the fraction is referring to. For example, "Nearly a fourth of the students" is more informative than just "Nearly a fourth".

Common error

Avoid using "nearly a fourth" when a more precise figure is available. If the exact percentage is known, it's better to state it directly rather than using an approximation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly a fourth" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating an approximate proportion or fraction. It is used to quantify something as being close to, but not exactly, one-fourth of the whole, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly a fourth" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express an approximate proportion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is prevalent in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. For clarity, specify what "nearly a fourth" refers to, and avoid it when precise data is available. Alternatives such as "almost a quarter" or "approximately 25 percent" can be used for variety. This phrase is suitable for neutral communication and provides a general sense of quantity without requiring exact figures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost a quarter

Uses "quarter" instead of "fourth", implying the same fraction with a slightly different wording.

roughly one-fourth

Emphasizes the approximation using "roughly" and specifies the fraction as "one-fourth".

approximately 25 percent

Replaces the fraction with its percentage equivalent, providing a more precise but similar meaning.

close to a quarter

Indicates a value that is approaching a quarter, but not quite reaching it.

just under 25%

Expresses a quantity slightly less than 25 percent, maintaining the approximate proportion.

in the neighborhood of a fourth

Uses a more conversational tone to suggest an approximate value around one-fourth.

a little under a fourth

Highlights the fact that the quantity is slightly less than one-fourth.

not quite a fourth

Emphasizes that the value is less than a fourth, indicating a slight shortfall.

around a quarter

A less formal synonym, expressing a similar approximate quantity.

in the vicinity of one-fourth

Uses more formal language to convey an approximate value near one-fourth.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly a fourth" to describe an approximate proportion or fraction, such as in the sentence, "Nearly a fourth of the survey respondents preferred online shopping."

What's a good alternative to "nearly a fourth"?

Alternatives include "almost a quarter", "roughly one-fourth", or "approximately 25 percent", depending on the desired level of precision and formality.

Is there a difference between "nearly a fourth" and "almost a fourth"?

The phrases "nearly a fourth" and "almost a fourth" are very similar and often interchangeable. Both indicate that a value is close to, but not quite, one-fourth.

When should I use "nearly a fourth" instead of a precise percentage?

Use "nearly a fourth" when an approximate value is sufficient and when providing an exact percentage would be overly detailed or cumbersome. It's suitable for general descriptions or when the precise figure is not critical.