quarters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quarters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can refer to living accommodations or a specific area, often used in military or residential contexts. Example: "The soldiers returned to their quarters after a long day of training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Observing Kennedy at close quarters did not help to solve the mystery.

The Guardian - Opinion

The BBC's 108 highest-paid bosses – including those on salaries of £150,000 or more – reduced the total amount of expenses they claimed in the first three quarters of this financial year by 14.1% compared with the equivalent period in 2009/10.

The Guardian

In South Africa the BBC came under fire from the usual quarters for taking 295 staff and building that £1m glass studio with views of Table Mountain.

The Guardian - Sport

Let's not forget that Miley's insta-historic VMAs performance last year drew outraged comment from many quarters, but perhaps most notably from the creator of the foam finger himself, who claimed she had demeaned his oversized invention.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A new report by the National Union of Students (NUS) reveals that over three quarters of students have problems with their privately rented accommodation.

The Guardian

Despite these problems, three quarters of students go into debt to cover the upfront costs of securing a student home, from deposits to letting agency fees.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Three-quarters of the world's heather moorland is found in Britain; the heather flowers purple in August, the bracken shines bronze in the autumn and the moors are dusted white with snow in midwinter.

The Guardian

According to western and Hungarian diplomats in Budapest, Orbán is planning to purge the diplomatic service, culling up to three-quarters of Hungary's ambassadors.

The Guardian

Three-quarters of plans were in the south of England, where the need for housing is greatest and only nine of the published plans were in areas described as "most deprived".

The Guardian

I find the tape on a ledge about three-quarters of the way down the cliff face.

The Guardian - Books

Three-quarters of 16- and 17-year-olds cast their vote, with a quarter since joining a political party.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quarters" to mean living accommodations, ensure the context clarifies whether it refers to military housing, student residences, or general living spaces.

Common error

Avoid using "quarter" when referring to multiple living spaces or districts; always use the plural "quarters" in these contexts. "Quarter" should only be used as singular when you are referring to one fourth of something.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "quarters" is as a noun, typically in its plural form. As a noun, it refers to living accommodations or specific districts/sections. As Ludwig AI shows, "quarters" can also refer to one-fourth of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Education

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "quarters" is a versatile noun primarily used in its plural form. According to Ludwig AI, it can refer to living accommodations, specific areas or districts, or one-fourth of something. The term is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. To ensure clarity, consider the specific meaning you intend to convey: whether it's accommodations, areas, or fractions. Always remember to use the plural form when referring to multiple living spaces or districts. By doing so, you can effectively communicate your message and avoid any potential misunderstandings. Remember that other options like "accommodations" or "living spaces" can be used instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Accommodations

Focuses on providing lodging or living space, similar to one meaning of "quarters".

Living spaces

Emphasizes the area or rooms where people reside, akin to the residential sense of "quarters".

Barracks

Specifically denotes living quarters for military personnel.

Lodgings

Refers to temporary or rented accommodations, a subset of "quarters".

Sections

Highlights distinct parts or areas within a larger space, related to the divisional aspect of "quarters".

Districts

Indicates defined areas within a city or region, similar to how "quarters" can refer to specific neighborhoods.

Neighborhoods

Denotes residential areas, mirroring the use of "quarters" to describe parts of a town.

Regions

Refers to broader geographical areas, a more general term than specific "quarters".

Divisions

Emphasizes the act of splitting something into parts, applicable when "quarters" represents portions of a whole.

Subdivisions

Indicates smaller sections within a larger area, a more specific type of division.

FAQs

How can I use "quarters" in a sentence?

"Quarters" can refer to living accommodations, as in "The soldiers returned to their quarters", or to a specific part of a city, like "The historic quarters of the city are worth visiting". It can also mean one-fourth of something, as in "Three "quarters" of the work is done.

What can I say instead of "quarters" when referring to living accommodations?

You can use alternatives like "accommodations", "living spaces", or "barracks" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "quarter" instead of "quarters" when referring to living spaces?

No, when referring to multiple living spaces or districts, the correct term is "quarters". "Quarter" refers to one-fourth of something. So if you mean several living accommodations or areas, always use the plural form.

What's the difference between "quarters" and "premises"?

"Quarters" typically refers to living accommodations or specific areas, while "premises" generally denotes a building and its surrounding land. For example, you might live in "quarters" within the "premises" of a military base.