several quarters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several quarters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to multiple three-month periods, often in a financial or business context. Example: "The company has seen steady growth over several quarters, indicating a positive trend in sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

But there were protests from several quarters.

The Economist

Export growth has declined for several quarters.

The New York Times

Typically, work on the final project encompasses several quarters.

Stanford University

18th 1967, although it was protested from several quarters.

The New Yorker

The unions' position has found support from several quarters.

The New York Times

Grim news and forecasts came from several quarters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

There is a continued fusilade, and formidable fires have occurred in several quarters.

The New York Times

These are the best growth rates in several quarters.

Huffington Post

Bernanke also predicted a pickup in economic growth over the next several quarters.

The Washington Post

In response, Cisco plans to hire up to 3,000 people over the next several quarters.

The New York Times - Tech

While it has been profitable for the past several quarters, the recession took its predictable toll.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial performance or academic progress, use "several quarters" to indicate a trend or pattern observed over more than two three-month periods. This implies a sustained observation rather than a one-off event.

Common error

Avoid using "several quarters" when you need to specify an exact number of quarters (e.g., "three quarters"). "Several" implies an indefinite number, typically more than two but not a large quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several quarters" functions as an adverbial modifier of time, indicating the duration over which an action or state occurs. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, typically found in contexts discussing trends or performances over a period of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "several quarters" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in English, primarily functioning as an adverbial modifier of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a useful expression to denote a period covering multiple three-month intervals, often used in financial, academic, and business contexts. The phrase is particularly common in news and media, science, and academic publications. While alternatives such as "a few quarters" or "multiple quarters" exist, "several quarters" provides a nuanced indication of duration without being overly specific. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the time frame and avoids ambiguity, especially when a precise number of quarters is known. Be careful to avoid saying "several quarters" when referring to timeframes less than three months. Remember to consult all the above in order to make informed decisions about it!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a number of quarters

Replaces "several" with "a number of", maintaining the same meaning of multiple but unspecified periods of three months.

a few quarters

Substitutes "several" with "a few", indicating a small number of three-month periods.

multiple quarters

Uses "multiple" instead of "several", providing a more formal alternative to indicate more than one quarter.

various quarters

Replaces "several" with "various", suggesting different and unspecified three-month periods.

some quarters

Offers a less specific alternative, implying an indefinite number of three-month periods.

a series of quarters

Replaces "several" with "a series of", emphasizing a sequence of three-month periods.

a succession of quarters

Similar to "a series of quarters" but emphasizes that the quarters follow one after another.

consecutive quarters

Highlights that the quarters are directly following each other in sequence.

subsequent quarters

Indicates that the quarters are following a specific point of reference.

a string of quarters

Uses "string" metaphorically to describe a connected series of quarters.

FAQs

How can I use "several quarters" in a sentence?

You can use "several quarters" to describe a period of time covering multiple three-month intervals, often in a financial or academic context. For example, "The company's profits have declined for "several quarters"." or "The project spanned "several quarters" of intensive research."

What are some alternatives to "several quarters"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a few quarters", "multiple quarters", or "a number of quarters" to express a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and specificity.

Is it more appropriate to say "a few quarters" or "several quarters"?

Both "a few quarters" and "several quarters" are acceptable, but "several" generally implies a slightly larger quantity than "a few". Use "a few" if you mean a small number, and "several" if you mean more than two but not a large number.

When is it incorrect to use the phrase "several quarters"?

It is incorrect to use the phrase "several quarters" if you know the precise number of quarters you're referring to. In such cases, state the exact number, such as "three quarters" or "four quarters". Additionally, avoid using it if you're discussing a period less than three months, as a quarter is specifically a three-month period.