the second quarter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the second quarter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific time period, typically in a business or financial context, such as the second quarter of a fiscal year. Example: "The company's revenue increased significantly during the second quarter compared to the first quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

into the second quarter.

The New York Times

early in the second quarter.

The New York Times

Then the second quarter started.

The New York Times

He returned in the second quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

We haven't played the second quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

In the second quarter, the opposite occurred.

The Economist

Well, the second quarter was rotten.

The New York Times

Revenue was down in the second quarter.

The New York Times

And that's in the second quarter.

The New York Times

The referees owned the second quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

In the second quarter, they tied, 53-53.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts where different types of quarters exist (e.g., fiscal vs calendar), clarify which type you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "the second quarter" without specifying the year or type of quarter (fiscal or calendar) when the context doesn't make it obvious. This can lead to misinterpretations, especially in financial reports or business communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the second quarter" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to a specific three-month period, often within a calendar or fiscal year. Ludwig examples highlight this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the second quarter" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a specific three-month period, typically in business, finance, and economics. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to provide a temporal reference point, with a neutral to professional register. While predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, using it without clear context can lead to ambiguity. For alternative expressions, consider "quarter two", "the second fiscal quarter", or the abbreviation "Q2". Always ensure clarity by specifying the year or type of quarter you are referencing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quarter two

Uses a numerical representation instead of ordinal, for a slightly more concise phrasing.

the second fiscal quarter

Adds 'fiscal' to specify the type of quarter being referenced, providing more precision in a business context.

the june quarter

Specifies the ending month of the quarter, which can be relevant in financial reporting.

q2

An abbreviation for the second quarter, offering a shorter, more informal option.

the second three months

Describes the quarter by its duration, which can be helpful if the term 'quarter' is unfamiliar to the audience.

the april-june period

Specifies the precise months encompassed by the quarter, offering maximum clarity.

the subsequent quarter

Refers to the quarter following a previously mentioned one, maintaining context.

the next quarter

Identifies the quarter in sequence after the current one.

the second of four quarters

Places the quarter within a broader annual context, clarifying its position in the yearly cycle.

the middle quarter

Describes the quarter's position relative to the beginning and end of the year.

FAQs

What does "the second quarter" usually refer to?

"The second quarter" typically refers to the period from April 1 to June 30 in a calendar year. However, in business, it can also refer to the second quarter of a company's "fiscal year", which may start at a different time.

How do I use "the second quarter" in a sentence?

You can use "the second quarter" to describe events or results that occurred during that specific three-month period. For example, "Sales increased significantly in the second quarter due to the new marketing campaign".

What is the abbreviation for "the second quarter"?

The abbreviation for "the second quarter" is Q2. It's commonly used in financial reports and business documents for brevity.

What's the difference between "the first quarter" and "the second quarter"?

"The first quarter" refers to the period from January 1 to March 31, while "the second quarter" refers to the period from April 1 to June 30. These are consecutive three-month periods in a calendar year.