a lengthy third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lengthy third" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a third part of something that is extensive or long in duration or content. Example: "The report included a lengthy third that detailed the project's challenges and solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Pettitte gave up only two runs that game, but he said he felt lost during a lengthy third inning.

The New York Times - Sports

A lengthy third part comprises a consolidated and slightly amended version of all previous treaties.There followed another IGC, featuring more rows about institutions, but in mid-2004 a text of the constitutional treaty was unanimously agreed on.

The Economist

Murray was well in control and he took a decisive step towards victory by winning a lengthy third game in the second set when Sousa fired long under pressure.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His 111th pitch ended a lengthy fifth inning as the rain began to fall.

The Washington Post

He was sent back in for a lengthy fourth-down try.

The New York Times - Sports

Brilliant though it was, Sharapova should not have been given any chance, but Kvitova made up for it in a lengthy fifth game with a series of crunching forehands, hitting a clean return winner on her second break point.

Independent

Safarova was struggling to find a foothold in the contest but was handed a lifeline in a lengthy sixth game when Ivanovic had two break points to go 5-1 ahead but spurned both and allowed Safarova to hold for 4-2.

The Guardian - Sport

It might be a quote, a lengthy first-person account or a line-up of three or more people with stories to tell about variations on a similar experience.

The Guardian

It is also topsy-turvy in having a lengthy first part (presumably to allow for the comprehensive set change of the last act) which, however good, nearly outstays its welcome.

The Guardian - Music

Its journalistic reputation was also undercut by two prominent articles published by The New York Times — an opinion column by Thomas L. Friedman and a lengthy first-person magazine article by Bill Keller, the paper's executive editor at the time — portraying the group as anarchists and "a secretive cadre of antisecrecy vigilantes".

The New York Times

BANGKOK — A contentious, four-hour hearing on the extradition of Viktor Bout, a Russian suspected of being an arms dealer, ended inconclusively Monday, but judges appeared to quash the prospect of a lengthy second trial that could have delayed or scuttled Mr. Bout's departure for the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lengthy third", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes the whole. For instance, specify "a lengthy third act" or "a lengthy third chapter" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a lengthy third" when the "third" isn't significantly longer than the other parts. If all parts are relatively equal in length, consider alternative phrasing to avoid misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lengthy third" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier describing a noun (typically part of something) that is the third in a sequence and is notable for its extended duration or substantial content. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lengthy third" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, though relatively rare in occurrence. It functions as an adjectival modifier to describe something that is third in a sequence and of considerable length. While suitable for various contexts, it is most commonly found in news and media, and the examples in Ludwig AI further highlight its descriptive function. Using more precise terms might be beneficial depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extended third

Replaces "lengthy" with "extended", emphasizing the duration in a similar manner.

a prolonged third

Substitutes "lengthy" with "prolonged", highlighting the prolonged nature of the third portion.

a drawn-out third

Uses "drawn-out" instead of "lengthy", suggesting the third part is excessively long.

a substantial third

Replaces "lengthy" with "substantial", focusing on the significant size or duration of the third part.

a considerable third

Similar to "substantial", emphasizing the noticeable length of the third part.

a long third segment

Rephrases the entire phrase to include "segment", clarifying the part being described.

a protracted third phase

Uses "protracted" and "phase" to emphasize the duration and stage of the third element.

an extensive third section

Replaces "lengthy" with "extensive" and "third" with "section", focusing on breadth.

a time-consuming third stage

Focuses on the time element, indicating the third stage requires significant time.

a detailed third component

Shifts the focus to the level of detail in the third part rather than its duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lengthy third" to describe the extended duration or size of the third part of something. For instance, "The presentation included "a lengthy third" section detailing the project's financial performance."

What are some alternatives to "a lengthy third"?

Alternatives include "an extended third", "a prolonged third", or "a substantial third" depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is "a lengthy third" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a lengthy third" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for adjective-noun phrases.

What's the difference between "a lengthy third" and "a long third"?

"A lengthy third" implies that the third part is considerably extended in duration or content. "A long third" is similar, but "lengthy" often carries a stronger connotation of being more protracted or detailed than just "long".