a distant third

USAGE SUMMARY

"a distant third" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate something that is in third place, but not close to the first or second. For example, "He came in a distant third in the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They finished a distant third.

The New York Times

Texas is a distant third.

The New York Times

(Vodafone is a distant third).

The Economist

Google's G.C.E. is a distant third.

The New Yorker

Labour is often a distant third.

The Economist

Mr. Pawlenty was a distant third.

The New York Times

Price is a distant third.

The New York Times

Gordon was a distant third.

The New York Times - Sports

Airplanes are a distant third.

The New York Times

Self-care finished a distant third.

Harvard University

China and Romania finished a distant third and fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distant third" to clearly convey that the entity in third place is significantly behind the first and second positions. This helps to emphasize the level of competition or the disparity in results.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant third" when the difference between the third position and the leaders is marginal. Ensure the context supports a substantial gap to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant third" functions as an ordinal modifier, specifying the rank of an entity while emphasizing its considerable separation from the leading positions. Ludwig examples confirm this phrase is often used to describe standings in competitions, elections, or market share.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distant third" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is in third place but significantly behind the leaders. As Ludwig's AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and science. When using "a distant third", ensure that the context accurately reflects a substantial gap between the third position and the leaders. Alternatives such as "far behind in third place" or "well back in third position" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remote third

Stresses the isolation and distance of the third position.

a faraway third

Emphasizes the great distance of third place from the leaders.

far behind in third place

Emphasizes the large gap between the third position and the leaders.

considerably behind in third

Highlights the noticeable gap separating the third position from the leaders.

third by a wide margin

Underscores the significant gap between the third position and the preceding ranks.

well back in third position

Highlights the considerable distance separating the third position from the front runners.

a clear third

Indicates a definitive third place, though not necessarily far behind.

trailing in third

Focuses on the act of being behind, specifically in third place.

languishing in third place

Suggests a negative connotation of being stuck or struggling in third.

a poor third

Implies a less than satisfactory performance resulting in third place.

FAQs

How can I use "a distant third" in a sentence?

Use "a distant third" to describe a situation where someone or something is in third place, but significantly behind the leaders. For example, "In the polls, the Green Party candidate is "a distant third"".

What are some alternatives to saying "a distant third"?

Alternatives include "far behind in third place", "well back in third position", or "trailing in third". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a distant third" in formal writing?

Yes, "a distant third" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in contexts such as news reports, academic papers, and business analyses where precise and descriptive language is valued.

What does it mean for something to be "a distant third"?

It means that something is in third place, but there's a significant gap or difference between it and the entities in first and second place. This implies a notable disparity in performance or popularity.