a few thirds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few thirds" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you are discussing portions or fractions, but it is generally better to express quantities more clearly. Example: "If we divide the cake into thirds, I would like a few thirds to share with my friends."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

His first full season was with Cleveland in 1992, when the Yankees were coming out of a period of stumbling in darkness, finishing fourth and fifth with a few thirds mixed in.

The New York Times - Sports

Tommy Moe: I had a few thirds and several top-ten finishes that season.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A few seconds go by.

The New Yorker

Just for a few seconds.

The New Yorker

He thought for a few seconds.

The New York Times - Arts

A few first-aid responders arrived.

The New Yorker

He fell silent for a few seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

Clinton stared for a few seconds.

The New York Times

Murray deliberated for a few seconds.

The New Yorker

Within a few seconds I knew.

The New York Times

I waited a few seconds, and followed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to portions, consider using more common expressions like "a couple of thirds" or "several thirds" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few thirds" when a more precise quantity is needed or known. Use "two thirds" or "three thirds" for exactness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few thirds" functions as a quantifier followed by a fractional noun. It indicates an indefinite, small quantity of portions that are each one-third of a whole. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is not standard and may be confusing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few thirds" is used to express a small, indefinite quantity of portions representing one-third of a whole. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a standard phrase and may lead to confusion. With limited examples primarily in news and media contexts, this expression is considered rare. For clearer communication, consider alternatives like "several thirds" or specifying the exact quantity. Usage patterns suggest neutrality, however, its infrequent occurrence may sound unusual in common conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several thirds

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger, but still indefinite, quantity.

couple of thirds

Substitutes "a few" with "couple of", specifying approximately two portions.

small number of thirds

Emphasizes the limited quantity of thirds being referenced.

some thirds

Uses "some" for a less specific indication of quantity.

portion of thirds

Focuses on the fraction part of thirds instead of how many.

fraction of thirds

Focuses on the fraction part of thirds instead of how many.

limited amount of thirds

Highlights the restriction on the amount or quantity available.

certain number of thirds

Indicates that the number of thirds is known but not specified.

select thirds

Emphasizes the thirds being chosen from the rest and not about how many there are.

few parts of thirds

Shifts the emphasis to parts rather than a whole fraction to describe the quantity available.

FAQs

How can I use "a few thirds" in a sentence?

You can use "a few thirds" when you want to express an unspecified small quantity of something divided into three parts. For instance, "He ate a few thirds of the pizza".

What's the difference between "a few thirds" and "several thirds"?

"Several thirds" suggests a slightly larger quantity than "a few thirds", although both are indefinite.

Is it more common to say "a few thirds" or "some thirds"?

While both are grammatically correct, "some thirds" might be more commonly understood in general conversation, though neither phrase is frequently used.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a few thirds"?

Depending on the context, you could use "couple of thirds" if you mean approximately two portions, or simply specify the exact quantity, such as "two thirds".