roughly a quarter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roughly a quarter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating or approximating a quantity that is about 25% of a whole. Example: "Roughly a quarter of the participants completed the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today, it's roughly a quarter.

The New Yorker

Bollywood contributes roughly a quarter of that number.

The Economist

It has 85m people, roughly a quarter of all Arabs.

The Economist

Roughly a quarter of them are run under Nascar sanction.

The New York Times

Roughly a quarter of the population lives in poverty.

The New York Times

This accounts for roughly a quarter of that target.

The Guardian - Travel

Some 16 billion koruna, roughly a quarter of the agreed cash handover, would suffice, he said.

The New York Times

By 2007, it had reached eighteen million users, roughly a quarter of Iran's population.

The New Yorker

Roughly a quarter of able-bodied male southerners were killed or wounded.

The Economist

Donohue notes that roughly a quarter of Americans identify themselves as Catholic.

The New York Times

Vietnam's ratio of investment to economic growth has fallen by roughly a quarter in recent years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "roughly a quarter", ensure the context involves an approximation or estimate, not an exact calculation. For exact values, use "25 percent" or "one-fourth".

Common error

Avoid using "roughly a quarter" when precise data is available. Instead of saying "The box is roughly a quarter full", use "The box is 25 percent full" if you know the exact amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roughly a quarter" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a noun phrase. It typically describes an approximate quantity or proportion, indicating that something is around 25% of a whole. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a common and acceptable usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roughly a quarter" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is approximately 25% of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While it's acceptable across many registers, remember that it signifies an estimate, not a precise measurement. For exact figures, use "25 percent" or "one-fourth" instead. When aiming for clarity and effective communication, consider related phrases like "approximately one-fourth" or "about 25 percent" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately one-fourth

Replaces "roughly" with "approximately" and "a quarter" with its fractional equivalent.

about 25 percent

Expresses the same proportion using a percentage instead of a fraction.

close to 25%

Uses "close to" to emphasize the approximation and expresses the proportion as a percentage.

in the neighborhood of 25 percent

Emphasizes the estimation aspect by using the idiomatic phrase "in the neighborhood of".

around one-fourth

Uses "around" to indicate approximation with the fractional form.

something like 25 percent

Uses "something like" for a less precise approximation.

a little under a third

Describes the quantity as being slightly less than a third.

nearly a quarter

Replaces "roughly" with "nearly" indicating the proportion is only slightly lower.

just about a quarter

Expresses the quantity as very close to a quarter.

a significant minority

Qualifies the proportion as a noteworthy but not overwhelming part.

FAQs

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

You can use "roughly a quarter" to indicate an approximate amount that is close to 25% of the whole. For instance, "Roughly a quarter of the students passed the exam" suggests that approximately 25% of the students achieved a passing grade.

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

Alternatives include "approximately one-fourth", "about 25 percent", or "close to 25%". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of precision.

Is it correct to say "rough a quarter" instead of "roughly a quarter"?

No, "rough a quarter" is not grammatically correct. The adverb "roughly" is needed to modify "a quarter", indicating an approximation. "Rough" as an adjective doesn't convey the intended meaning of approximation in this context.

When should I use "roughly a quarter" versus "exactly 25 percent"?

Use "roughly a quarter" when you are estimating or approximating. Use "exactly 25 percent" when you have precise data and want to convey an accurate measurement. For example, if you're estimating survey results, "roughly a quarter" is appropriate. If reporting confirmed sales figures, "exactly 25 percent" is better.