a fourth experiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fourth experiment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the fourth instance of conducting an experiment in a series or sequence. Example: "After analyzing the results of the previous three trials, we decided to conduct a fourth experiment to further investigate the hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

So the researchers organised a fourth experiment.

The Economist

Those primed to think about time cheated 32% of the time in the presence of the mirror and 36% in its absence results that are statistically indistinguishable.Finally, a fourth experiment asked primed volunteers to fill in a questionnaire before tackling the matrix.

The Economist

We tested this 'desperado hypothesis' in a fourth experiment, in which losers were offered alternative options.

Animal Behaviour

In a fourth experiment, we provide additional evidence that personal pronoun usage affects investor reactions by increasing the perceived credibility of the disclosure.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

In a fourth experiment designed to examine which properties are used to individuate food objects, results revealed that rhesus use color, but not shape.

Cognition

In a fourth experiment, we demonstrate that an agent endowed with a simple bit memory cannot learn to use it effectively.

Cognitive Systems Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In a third experiment, Dr. Foster removed the eyes from mice.

The New York Times

Same doctor performed a second experiment: helicoptered two infected men to a hospital ship offshore.

The New Yorker

In 2006, Duflo and several colleagues returned to West Bengal for a second experiment.

The New Yorker

In a second experiment, a blindsight patient was shown pictures of faces displaying happiness, sadness, anger, and fear.

The New Yorker

To rule out the possibility that the results simply showed people mimicking one another, Berkman suggested a third experiment.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a series of experiments, ensure consistent terminology. If you begin by calling the first one "the first experiment", maintain that style for subsequent references, such as "the fourth experiment".

Common error

Avoid mixing ordinal and cardinal numbers when referring to a sequence of experiments. For example, don't switch from "the first experiment", "the second experiment", "the third experiment" to "experiment 4".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fourth experiment" serves primarily as a noun phrase, specifically identifying an element in a series of trials or tests. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a fourth experiment" is a grammatically sound and usable term, predominantly found in scientific and news contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively denotes a sequential step within a series of investigations. While "a fourth experiment" may not be as frequent as other common phrases, it maintains clarity and precision when detailing structured research methodologies. When you use "a fourth experiment", ensure consistent numbering and terminology to present your experiments in a clear and professional manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiment number four

A more formal and explicit way to indicate the order of the experiment.

the following experiment

Similar to "a subsequent experiment" but implies a direct sequence and connection to the preceding experiment.

a subsequent experiment

Highlights that the experiment follows previous ones, offering a more general term without specifying the exact number.

the succeeding experiment

Similar to 'the following experiment', but with a slightly more formal tone.

the final experiment

Emphasizes that this is the last experiment in a sequence, shifting focus from the numerical order.

the fourth trial

Replaces "experiment" with "trial", which is useful in specific contexts where repetition is implied.

an additional experiment

Focuses on the fact that this is an extra experiment, adding to the existing set, rather than its specific position.

a further study

More general, it replaces "experiment" with "study", which is appropriate if the activities are less controlled than a typical lab experiment.

the investigation's fourth stage

Uses "stage" to represent a phase in a larger investigation. It moves away from the experimental setting alone and focuses on the research project's organization.

the next phase of the experiment

Focuses on the continuity of research process using 'phase' instead of a numerical indicator.

FAQs

How do I correctly refer to an experiment in a series?

Use ordinal numbers (first, second, third, fourth, etc.) to clearly indicate the sequence. For instance, "In "a first experiment" we observed...", followed by "In "a second experiment"...", and so on.

What are alternatives to saying "a fourth experiment"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "the final experiment", "a subsequent experiment", or "experiment number four".

Is it better to say 'the 4th experiment' or "a fourth experiment"?

"A fourth experiment" is generally preferred in formal writing. "The 4th experiment" is acceptable but less common in academic or scientific contexts. Using ordinal numbers spelled out (first, second, third, fourth) maintains a more consistent style.

When should I use "a fourth experiment" versus "another experiment"?

Use "a fourth experiment" when you need to emphasize its specific position in a sequence. Use "another experiment" when you want to indicate that additional research was conducted, without needing to specify its precise order.