a third defendant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a third defendant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to an additional party being accused or involved in a case alongside other defendants. Example: "In the lawsuit, the plaintiff named a third defendant who was allegedly involved in the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A third defendant, Ivan Cermak, was acquitted.

Independent

A third defendant, Melbourne Mills Jr., was acquitted this week.

The New York Times

A third defendant, former Mayor Charlie Robertson of York, was acquitted.

The New York Times

Mr. Shah and a third defendant, Rafiq Sabir, a physician, restated their not guilty pleas yesterday.

The New York Times

A third defendant, Derrick Donchak, 18, is charged with aggravated assault and other offenses.

The New York Times

But a third defendant, York's former mayor, was found not guilty.

The New York Times

A third defendant, Kenneth Fetterman, 33, of Placerville, Calif., is a fugitive.

The New York Times

A third defendant, Rudy Guede, was convicted in a separate trial of sexually assaulting and stabbing Kercher.

Independent

A third defendant, Rudy Guede, 23, was sentenced separately to 30 years, reduced to 16 years on appeal in December.

The New York Times

(The murder conviction of a third defendant, Rudy Guede, in a separate trial, was upheld on appeal).

The New York Times - Books

A third defendant, Mitchel Alvo, awaits a verdict from Justice Rena K. Uviller, who presided over the case.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on legal cases, clearly identify each defendant's role and involvement to avoid confusion. Use "a third defendant" or similar phrases to distinguish between multiple parties.

Common error

Ensure that each defendant is clearly identified throughout your writing. Avoid using vague terms like "the defendant" without specifying which one, especially when multiple defendants are involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third defendant" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying an individual or entity among multiple parties accused in a legal proceeding. Ludwig shows this phrase is commonly used in legal reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a third defendant" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used in legal contexts to identify one of multiple accused parties. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase appears frequently in news and media reports, signaling its importance in clear and accurate legal reporting. To enhance clarity, it's useful to employ similar phrases like "an additional defendant" or ensure each defendant's role is well-defined to prevent ambiguity. This precise language is crucial for maintaining accuracy when discussing complex legal proceedings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an additional defendant

Replaces "third" with "additional", emphasizing that this is another defendant besides the initial two.

another defendant

Similar to "an additional defendant", but slightly less formal.

the other defendant

Implies that the other two defendants have already been mentioned.

a further defendant

More formal synonym for "an additional defendant".

a subsequent defendant

Suggests that this defendant was added to the case later than the others.

the remaining defendant

Indicates that this is the last defendant to be considered out of a known group.

a co-defendant

Highlights that this defendant is being tried jointly with others.

a fellow defendant

Similar to "co-defendant", implying a shared legal situation.

the next defendant

Implies a sequential presentation of defendants.

a secondary defendant

Suggests a lesser role compared to the primary defendant(s).

FAQs

How do you use "a third defendant" in a sentence?

The phrase "a third defendant" is used to refer to one of three or more parties being accused or sued in a legal case. For example: "The prosecution presented evidence against the first two defendants, and then focused on the actions of "a third defendant"."

What's the difference between "a third defendant" and "an additional defendant"?

"A third defendant" specifically indicates that there are at least three defendants in the case. "An additional defendant" simply means that another defendant is being added, without specifying the total number.

What can I say instead of "a third defendant"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "another defendant", "the other defendant", or "a co-defendant". The best choice depends on whether you're emphasizing the numerical order, the addition of a defendant, or the joint nature of their legal situation.

Is it necessary to specify "a third defendant" if the other defendants have already been named?

Yes, especially in legal writing. Clearly identifying each defendant prevents confusion and ensures clarity about who is being referred to at any given point in the text. Even if the other defendants have been named, using ""a third defendant"" maintains precision.