a third

USAGE SUMMARY

"a third" is a perfectly correct and usable expression in written English.
For example, you can use it to say: "The data was divided into thirds, with a third going to each group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A third weren't sure.

The Economist

A third go abroad.

The Economist

A third "Transformers"?

The New York Times - Magazine

Have a third?

The New Yorker

A third person fled.

The New York Times

Winking on a third.

The New York Times - Arts

A third man fled.

The New York Times

"Research?" said a third.

The New Yorker

"A third testicle".

The New Yorker

Tiendalli adds a third.

Independent

Maybe a third?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a third" when you need to refer to one of three equal parts. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Don't use "a third" when you mean "thirdly". "A third" refers to a fraction or portion, while "thirdly" is an adverb used to enumerate points in a sequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third" primarily functions as a determiner and a noun. It quantifies or specifies a portion that is one part of three equal parts. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a third" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English, signifying one part of three equal parts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is versatile, appearing in diverse contexts from news reports to encyclopedic entries. While "a third" is generally appropriate, it's important not to confuse it with the adverb "thirdly", which serves to enumerate points. When you need to specify one of three equal divisions, "a third" is your go-to phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one third

Numerical synonym; more formal, emphasizes the fraction.

a fraction

A numerical representation of a part of a whole; may not be precisely one-third.

a portion

Indicates a part, not necessarily a precise fraction.

a segment

Suggests a distinct part of a whole.

a share

Implies a part allocated or belonging to someone.

part of

General term for a piece of something.

a division

Suggests a separated section or group.

a fragment

Indicates a small, broken-off piece.

a piece

A general, non-specific portion.

some

Indicates an unspecified amount or quantity.

FAQs

How to use "a third" in a sentence?

You can use "a third" to refer to one part of three equal parts, as in, "a third of the population" prefers this option.

What can I say instead of "a third"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "one third", "a portion", or "a share".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a third of the"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For instance, you can say, "a third of the cake" was gone.

What's the difference between "a third" and "thirdly"?

"A third" refers to a fraction or part of a whole, while "thirdly" is used to list items in a sequence, such as "Firstly, secondly, and thirdly..."