quartet

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'quartet' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of four musicians or singers. For example: "The string quartet performed several classical pieces at the music festival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The born-again Respect quartet have spent the last 18 months working as an independent group on Bradford council, along with Mohammed Shabbir (Heaton), who left Respect with them in 2013.

The Guardian

This article will be open for comments on Sunday morning Tony Blair is the Special Envoy for the Middle East Quartet.

The Guardian - Opinion

As well as Moussa Sow and Dame N'Doye, there is the Premier League quartet of Papiss Cissé, Mame Biram Diouf, Sadio Mané and Diafra Sakho.

The Guardian - Sport

The album: First Mind Previous releases: Knee-deep in the North Sea – 2008 (Portico Quartet); Isla – 2009 (Portico Quartet) What we said: "Americana finger-picking happily coexists with Afro and calypso rhythms.

The Guardian - Music

Among the quartet of associates' premieres, the headline event will probably be Akram Khan's Until the Lions.

The Guardian

The running quartet are in agreement about why they've managed to stay so healthy: a positive frame of mind, keeping the company of people who are forward looking, not indulging in any excesses, appreciating what God has provided them with and keeping active.

The Guardian

The quartet - Naomi Long (East Belfast, Alliance), Sylvia Hermon (North Down, Independent), Michelle Gildernew (Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Sinn Fein) and Margaret Ritchie (South Down, SDLP) - could be said to cross the (alleged) cultural divide.

The Guardian

In 1995, he co-founded the award-winning comedy quartet The League Of Gentlemen.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Eventually, the quartet decides that dinners will be even more fun, and the bank will give them an even better deal, if they expand the arrangement.

The Guardian - Business

Two By Two and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water complete the family quartet.

The Guardian - Film

Not really, as lowly Chivas USA on Sunday presents itself as the first domino that must fall in that quartet.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about musical ensembles, clarify the type of "quartet" (e.g., string quartet, jazz quartet) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "quartet" loosely for any group of four without considering the specific connotations (e.g., musical, political).

Linguistic Context

The word "quartet" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a group of four, especially musicians or singers. As Ludwig AI examples show, it can also refer to any group of four people or entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Music

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "quartet" is a grammatically sound noun that denotes a group of four, commonly in musical ensembles but also applicable to other contexts such as political bodies or general groupings. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and usability. It enjoys very common usage across various domains, especially in News & Media and Music. While "quartet" maintains a neutral register, clarifying the type of quartet (e.g., string, jazz) enhances clarity. When alternatives are needed, consider phrases like "group of four" or "foursome", depending on the intended formality and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

group of four

Emphasizes the numerical aspect of the group.

foursome

Commonly used, particularly in recreational contexts like golf.

tetrad

A more formal or scientific term for a group of four.

quadruple

Highlights the fourfold nature or quantity.

set of four

A more descriptive and less concise alternative.

a collection of four

Highlights that items are grouped together.

cluster of four

Implies items are close together or related.

team of four

Suggests a collaborative effort by four individuals.

the fourth

Refers to a specific element or member out of the four.

quaternion

A mathematical term that refers to an element with four components.

FAQs

How can I use "quartet" in a sentence?

You can use "quartet" to refer to a musical ensemble, such as "The string quartet played beautifully", or a group of four people, like "The negotiating quartet reached an agreement".

What's the difference between "quartet" and /s/foursome?

"Quartet" often implies a more formal or structured group, especially in music, while "foursome" is generally used for informal groups of four, like in golf or social gatherings.

Is it appropriate to use "quartet" in a business context?

Yes, "quartet" can be used in a business context to refer to a group of four individuals working together or a group of four entities involved in a common project, but ensure it's understood in the specific context.

What can I say instead of "quartet" to describe a group of four?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "group of four", "foursome", or the more formal term "tetrad".