quota
B2Formal
Definition
Meaning
An officially limited share, number, or amount of something that is allocated to a person or group.
A proportional part or share; a fixed goal or target, especially in sales or production.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a limit or allocation imposed by an authority. Often implies a system of distribution or restriction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Slight preference for 'quota system' in UK political discourse regarding immigration.
Connotations
Generally neutral or administrative, but can carry negative connotations in discussions of immigration, hiring, or trade restrictions.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties within business, political, and academic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
quota for (something)quota on (something)quota of (something)under a quotawithin the quotaVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Quota queen (derogatory, US political term)”
- “Fill one's quota”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A salesperson must meet their monthly quota to receive a bonus.
Academic
The study analysed the economic impact of import quotas on developing nations.
Everyday
There's a quota on how many library books you can borrow at once.
Technical
The fishery is managed through a scientifically determined catch quota.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council quotas parking permits for residents.
American English
- The system quotas resources based on need.
adjective
British English
- The quota system for university admissions is controversial.
American English
- She reached her quota goal for the quarter.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My phone has a quota for data usage.
- The company set a strict quota for daily production.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'QUOTA' as your 'QUOTA' of a pie. You only get a limited slice (your share/portion).
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER (a limited container of resources), SHARE (a piece of a whole), LIMIT (a ceiling or boundary).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'норма' when it means 'standard' or 'norm'. 'Quota' is more specific to an allocated limit.
- Not synonymous with 'ставка' (rate).
- In immigration contexts, 'виза' (visa) or 'разрешение' (permit) is not the same as 'quota'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'quota' to mean a general 'number' or 'amount' without the sense of a limit/share (e.g., 'a quota of people attended' is incorrect).
- Confusing 'quota' with 'quote' (a price estimate).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'quota' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a neutral administrative term. It gains negative or positive connotations from context (e.g., unfair hiring quotas vs. protective environmental quotas).
Yes, but it is rare and considered jargon. It means 'to assign or limit by a quota' (e.g., 'Resources are quotaed annually'). The noun form is overwhelmingly more common.
A 'quota' is typically a mandatory limit or share imposed by an external authority. A 'target' is often an internal goal one aims for. You can exceed a target, but exceeding a quota may be prohibited.
It refers to a fixed number of places reserved for a specific group (e.g., based on region, background, or nationality). This usage is often legally and politically sensitive.
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