a long third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long third" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing a third part of something that is lengthy or extended in nature. Example: "The presentation was divided into three sections, and the speaker spent a long third discussing the implications of the research findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The game has gone to overtime tied at 14. Phillips converted on a fourth down and on a long third down in the tying drive, going 5-of-7 for 49 yards on the possession.

The New York Times

And the last meal of this particular specimen of Microraptor did, indeed, have a long third toe.That elongated toe suggests to Dr O'Connor that Microraptor, too, was arboreal, and hints that its feathers may have helped it to move through an environment where hops, jumps and flaps between branches were a regular part of its daily activity.

The Economist

After the Hall interception, Tuck dropped Clinton Portis for a 6-yard-loss and sacked Campbell on the next play, leading to a long third down the Redskins didn't convert.

Huffington Post

The second quarter began with Virginia Tech in possession of the ball and facing a long third down after a quarterback sack on the final play of the first quarter.

Wikipedia

EP1 has a long third loop as does EP4, which also has the longest intracellular C-terminus [ 12, 15].

Cancer and Metastasis Reviews

TcLAR exhibited an extremely long third intron of 2,338 bp; similarly, VvLAR also featured a long third intron of 1,661 bp, while MtLAR contained two long introns (intron 1 and intron 2) that are 812-bp and 1,178-bp 1,178-bpvely.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Orangemen trailed the Yellow Jackets by only 6 points as quarterback Troy Nunes threw a long third-down pass on a play that began on the Syracuse 34-yard line.

The New York Times - Sports

His next opponent, Tomas Berdych, also is prone to attacks of self-doubt in good company – although he came through a long, third-set tie-break to beat Kevin Anderson in the Margaret Court Arena earlier in the day, and, if he is at his best, he will give the Serb another serious argument.

The Guardian - Sport

A long first game for the Giants' defense, too.

The New York Times - Sports

"My best friend is black," she says, waiting a long second, "in this story".

The New York Times - Arts

Girardi said he thought Nova lost his rhythm after a long eighth inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing stages or phases, use "a long third" to emphasize that the third part is notably extended in duration or scope. For example, "The project's success hinged on a long third phase dedicated to rigorous testing and refinement."

Common error

Avoid using "a long third" when the context already implies duration or length. Redundancy can weaken your writing. Instead, let the details within the description convey the length of the third part.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long third" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying an ordinal number. It describes the third element in a sequence as being extended or lengthy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a long third" is grammatically correct and conveys the idea of an extended or lengthy third element in a sequence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's suitable for various contexts, although more commonly found in News & Media, Science and Wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the emphasis on the third part's length to avoid redundancy. Consider alternatives such as "a prolonged third" or "an extended third" for subtle variations in meaning. Remember, clarity and conciseness are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prolonged third

Substitutes 'long' with 'prolonged', emphasizing the extended duration.

an extended third

Replaces 'long' with 'extended', focusing on the increased length or scope.

a lengthy third

Uses 'lengthy' instead of 'long', highlighting the considerable duration.

a drawn-out third

Replaces 'long' with 'drawn-out', implying a tedious or unnecessarily extended period.

a protracted third

Uses 'protracted' to indicate an unusually long duration, often suggesting resistance to ending.

a more expansive third

Substitutes 'long' with 'expansive', shifting the focus to a wider scope or coverage in the third part.

a substantial third

Replaces 'long' with 'substantial', emphasizing the importance or significance of the extended third part.

a significant third

Uses 'significant' instead of 'long', highlighting the importance or impact of the extended duration of the third element.

the most extended third

Adds 'most' emphasizing that the third element is the longest of all.

a time-consuming third

Replaces 'long' with 'time-consuming', indicating that the third portion requires a significant amount of time.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long third" to describe the duration or length of the third part of something. For example, "The presentation was divided into three sections, with "a long third" focusing on the implications of the research findings."

What are some alternatives to using "a long third"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a prolonged third", "an extended third", or "a lengthy third" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a long third"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "a long third". The phrase follows standard English grammar rules, where "long" is an adjective modifying the ordinal number "third".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a long third"?

It's appropriate to use "a long third" in contexts where you want to emphasize that the third part of something is notably extended in duration or scope. This can apply to time periods, segments of a presentation, or any sequential process.