a message to a third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a message to a third" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a message directed towards a third party, but as it stands, it is ambiguous and incomplete. Example: "I need to send a message to a third party regarding the contract negotiations."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Responders playing the ultimatum game were given the opportunity to send a message to a third party before the proposers made their offers.

The Guardian

In contrast to public-key signatures, a MAC cannot prove the authenticity of a message to a third party.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He got a message to the fourth official and an announcement was made.

The Guardian - Sport

In other words, they use the first round to send a message to the second-round survivors.

The Economist

Now they have an opportunity to grab a [first team] spot, which is an incentive for them and a message to the first team that there are some new kids on the block".

BBC

Try sending a message to someone first.

WikiHow

"I think this should be reassuring for parents interested in finding good treatment for a child, and it should send a message to third-party payers".

The New York Times

Dening sent a message to First Sea Lord Dudley Pound: The short cut of the German ships is via the English Channel.

Wikipedia

But Mr. Obama also added a message to Islamic nations, a first from the inaugural lectern.

The New York Times

He also dispatched a message to Nero, urging him to send a second commander with the explicit purpose of defending Armenia as Syria was now also in peril.

Wikipedia

He said he hoped that the victory in Nassau would send a message to Albany, where a similar measure was first introduced in the New York State Legislature on Feb. 4, 1971.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to sending a message to someone who is not directly involved, use the clearer phrase "a message to a third party".

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying "third party" instead of simply "third". This avoids confusion and ensures your intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb. It indicates the recipient of the message. However, as Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is incomplete and lacks clarity, particularly without the word "party" to specify a recipient.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a message to a third" is considered grammatically incorrect and lacking in clarity by Ludwig. The correct and commonly accepted version is "a message to a third party". Although there are some examples of the phrase being used in news, science, and wiki contexts, its overall frequency is rare. For clear and effective communication, it is advisable to use the full phrase "a message to a third party" or consider alternative phrases such as "a communication directed at a third individual".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a message for a third party

Replaces "to" with "for" to emphasize the recipient of the message.

a communication directed at a third individual

Substitutes "message" and "third" with synonyms and adds "directed at" for clarity.

a note intended for a third person

Uses "note" instead of "message" and "person" instead of "party", making it less formal.

information relayed to an outside entity

Replaces "message" and "third" with more formal and abstract terms.

a signal transmitted to an uninvolved observer

Uses technical language to describe the message transfer.

a statement addressed to a separate entity

Focuses on the act of addressing a statement.

a bulletin forwarded to a non-participating group

Implies a more formal announcement or notification.

a dispatch delivered to an external source

Suggests an official or urgent communication.

a report submitted to a distinct organization

Implies a structured document or formal account.

a briefing presented to a neutral participant

Conveys the idea of providing background information or updates.

FAQs

How can I improve the clarity of the phrase "a message to a third"?

To enhance clarity, specify "a message to a third party" to clearly indicate you are referring to someone not directly involved in the conversation or situation. You can also use "a communication directed at a third individual" depending on context.

What are some alternatives to "a message to a third"?

Alternatives include "a message for a third party", "a note intended for a third person", or "information relayed to an outside entity".

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

According to Ludwig, the phrase "a message to a third" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. It is better to use "a message to a third party" or similar alternatives.

What's the difference between "a message to a third" and "a message to a third party"?

The phrase "a message to a third party" is more grammatically sound and understandable compared to "a message to a third", which is incomplete and can be ambiguous. Using "party" makes it clear you're referring to a person or entity.