quota
A quota is a fixed amount or number of something that is allowed, expected, or required. It often refers to a limit on imports or a target that someone must reach, such as in sales.
Examples
3 of 5I have already reached my quota of three cups of coffee for the day.
I have already reached my quota of three cups of coffee for the day.
The government has imposed a strict import quota on foreign steel to protect local industries.
The government has imposed a strict import quota on foreign steel to protect local industries.
I've definitely hit my quota of bad luck this week.
I've definitely hit my quota of bad luck this week.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Quota' and 'Quantity'. They both start with 'Qu' and deal with how much of something there is.
Quick Quiz
Each salesperson has a monthly ___ of twenty new contracts to sign.
Correct!
The correct answer is: quota
Examples
I have already reached my quota of three cups of coffee for the day.
everydayI have already reached my quota of three cups of coffee for the day.
The government has imposed a strict import quota on foreign steel to protect local industries.
formalThe government has imposed a strict import quota on foreign steel to protect local industries.
I've definitely hit my quota of bad luck this week.
informalI've definitely hit my quota of bad luck this week.
Sociologists argue that gender quotas in parliament can lead to more balanced policy-making.
academicSociologists argue that gender quotas in parliament can lead to more balanced policy-making.
The sales department needs to meet its monthly quota by Friday afternoon.
businessThe sales department needs to meet its monthly quota by Friday afternoon.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
reach a quota
reach a quota
under the quota
under the quota
impose a quota
impose a quota
Often Confused With
A 'quote' is a citation or a price estimate, while a 'quota' is a fixed quantity or limit.
Usage Notes
The word is commonly used in business to describe sales targets and in government to describe limits on trade or immigration. It can be used both for a maximum limit and a minimum required amount.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 'quota' with 'quote'. Remember that 'quota' ends in 'a' and refers to a quantity.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Quota' and 'Quantity'. They both start with 'Qu' and deal with how much of something there is.
Word Origin
From the Medieval Latin 'quota pars', meaning 'how large a part'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many countries, 'gender quotas' are a debated political topic regarding the number of women in leadership roles.
Quick Quiz
Each salesperson has a monthly ___ of twenty new contracts to sign.
Correct!
The correct answer is: quota
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
A proportion is a part or share of a whole, often compared t...
distributionDistribution refers to the act of sharing or giving out some...
percentageA percentage is a rate, number, or amount in each hundred, u...
restrictionA rule, law, or condition that limits what you can do or how...
targetDescribes something that is the intended object, goal, or re...
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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