I came fourth

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "I came fourth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a ranking or placing in a competition or group. For example, "I was so pleased when I heard that I came fourth in the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Personal Anecdotes

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Without support, I came fourth again.

The Guardian - Sport

Last year I came fourth in the world championships in Daegu, in 44.99sec.

The Guardian - Sport

He had the same look on his face and I thought, 'Oh no, oh no, I came fourth.'" That is a feeling Mitcham currently knows only too well.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was preparing my 'I came fourth' speech.

BBC

I came fourth, so I am going back to the Commonwealths to try again.

BBC

I came fourth, but they obviously saw potential in me as they still offered me the place to go to Turkey".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I came second in the finals.

Independent

"He said the mountain comes first, I came second, the kids came third".

The New York Times

I can't believe I came second".

The Guardian - Sport

"I came third in the province".

The New Yorker

I came first in nearly all of my classes.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a global audience, be aware that cultural nuances might exist in how rankings are perceived. Always aim for clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid confusing ordinal numbers (fourth, fifth, etc.) with cardinal numbers (four, five, etc.). Use ordinal numbers when describing a position in a sequence or ranking, and cardinal numbers when describing quantity. For example, use "fourth" when you placed fourth in a race, and "four" when you have four apples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I came fourth" functions as a statement of result or ranking. It specifies the position achieved by the speaker in a competition, race, or some other form of ordered sequence. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I came fourth" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express that someone finished in fourth place in a competition or ranking. While Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is sound, its usage frequency is uncommon. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news reports and personal accounts. Alternatives include "I finished fourth" or "I was placed fourth". When using "I came fourth", ensure the context clearly indicates the scope of the ranking being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I finished fourth

Simple synonym using a different verb with same meaning.

I was placed fourth

Emphasizes the act of being ranked in a specific position.

I secured fourth place

Highlights the effort involved in achieving the ranking.

My final position was fourth

More formal way to express result with explicit noun.

I ended up in fourth position

Suggests a less intentional or planned outcome.

Fourth place was mine

A more emphatic way to state one's placement.

I ranked fourth

Focuses on the overall ranking system.

I attained fourth position

Implies some level of effort or achievement in getting the ranking.

Fourth is where I landed

Suggests a finality or conclusion to the placement.

My ranking was fourth overall

More elaborate and possibly formal expression.

FAQs

Is "I came fourth" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I came fourth" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate finishing in fourth place in a competition or ranking.

What are some alternative ways to say "I came fourth"?

You can use alternatives like "I finished fourth", "I was placed fourth", or "I secured fourth place" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "I came fourth"?

It's appropriate to use "I came fourth" in contexts where you want to express that you achieved the fourth position in a race, competition, or any kind of ranking.

What's the difference between saying "I came fourth" and "I came in fourth"?

While both are acceptable, "I came fourth" is more concise. "I came in fourth" is also valid, but slightly more verbose. The meaning remains the same.