a third of a bottle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a third of a bottle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific quantity of liquid contained in a bottle, often in contexts related to consumption or measurement. Example: "After the party, we found that we had only a third of a bottle of wine left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Wines have also got stronger, but the biggest change here has been the serving size: from a standard 125ml to 250ml – a third of a bottle.

Independent

Around 14 per cent of pubs and wine bars have already got rid of 125ml measures of wine altogether, and customers are left to choose between 175ml and 250ml glasses, the larger amounting to a third of a bottle.

Independent

For serving red wine, he liked a diminutive decanter for its size — a quartino, or a third of a bottle — and for the indentation on its base that makes it easy to grip when pouring.

The New York Times

Its report found that on average, children aged 14 to 17 will be given nine units of alcohol - the equivalent of four cans of beer, a bottle of wine or a third of a bottle of vodka at post-exam parties, holidays or festivals.

Independent

First we plunged them into searing hot oil and a third of a bottle of smooth, smoky Oban; then we used peaty Caol Ila, and finally we cooked the remaining langoustine in fiery Talisker - which proved to be, by far, the tastiest mixture.

The Guardian - Travel

He is also in favour of renaming the large glass of wine (250ml) extra large - it equals a third of a bottle of wine.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Responses were converted to units of alcohol appropriate at the time (one unit was equal to half pint of beer, a measure of spirits, or a sixth of a bottle of wine) and divided into six categories (none, 1-7, 15-21 15-21, 22-34, or ≥35 units).

British Medical Journal

Oliver remembers talking to a brewer at Anheuser-Busch a few years ago, when sales of Michelob had fallen to about a third of a billion bottles a year.

The New Yorker

For an adult that works out at about a sixth of a 200ml bottle to cover the whole body.

BBC

Within seconds of watching us drink our first shots, he had worked his way through a third of the bottle.

The Guardian - Travel

Cleo consumed more than a third of the bottle during her treatment.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a third of a bottle", ensure the context makes it clear what type of bottle is being referenced (e.g., wine, liquor, juice). This prevents ambiguity for your reader.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a third of a bottle" implies the bottle was initially full. The bottle might have already been partially consumed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third of a bottle" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a quantifier, specifying a particular portion of a liquid container. The Ludwig AI examples confirm its usage in describing amounts consumed or remaining.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a third of a bottle" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a quantity or proportion of liquid within a bottle. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, acting as a quantifier, and its purpose is to convey a specific amount. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its usability in written English. While its register is generally neutral, it leans towards informal and is more common in news and media contexts than in formal academic writing. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the type and size of the bottle being referenced. Consider alternative phrasings like "one-third of a bottle" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one third of a bottle

More formal phrasing using numerals instead of words.

33% of a bottle

Expresses the quantity as a percentage.

one-third of the bottle's contents

Highlights the volume contained within the bottle.

a portion of a bottle

Replaces the specific fraction with a more general term for a part.

part of a bottle

Similar to 'a portion', but even less specific.

some of a bottle

Indicates an unspecified amount less than the whole.

a fraction of a bottle

Emphasizes that the amount is less than the whole but doesn't specify the exact quantity.

a measure of a bottle

Focuses on the act of measuring out a quantity from the bottle.

a small amount from a bottle

Highlights the reduced quantity taken from the bottle.

a dram from a bottle

Uses "dram" for a small amount of liquid, often alcoholic.

FAQs

How do I use "a third of a bottle" in a sentence?

You can use "a third of a bottle" to describe the quantity of liquid remaining or consumed. For example, "I drank "a third of a bottle" of water after my workout."

What's a more precise way to say "a third of a bottle"?

If precision is needed, specify the bottle's volume and calculate one-third of that amount in milliliters or ounces. For instance, "one-third of a 750ml bottle".

Is it acceptable to use "a third of a bottle" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a third of a bottle" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using "one-third of a bottle" for greater formality.

What are some situations where using "a third of a bottle" would be appropriate?

It's appropriate in casual conversations, recipes, or when describing quantities of liquids in a general sense. For example, "The recipe calls for "a third of a bottle" of cooking wine."