a third of students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a third of students" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific portion or percentage of a group of students in a discussion or analysis. Example: "A third of students reported feeling overwhelmed by their coursework this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nearly a third of students receive bursaries, meaning that children from townships and refugee camps rub shoulders with the sons and daughters of royalty, diplomats and tycoons.

The Guardian

About a third of students are minorities.

The New York Times

A third of students drop out in their first year at university.

The Economist

In an average year, barely a third of students who sit the exam will pass.

The Economist

Over all, the research shows that about a third of students are involved in aggressive behavior.

The New York Times

About a third of students have learning disabilities, the principal, Arlynn Brody, said.

The New York Times

A third of students transfer institution, of which a quarter move more than once.

The Guardian

Did you know that a third of students don't even drink?

The Guardian

Meanwhile, a third of students say environmental policies inform their Ucas choices.

The Guardian

Around a third of students are over 21 when they start their course.

The Guardian

He said the fact that nearly a third of students did not graduate on time was "unacceptable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, particularly in formal writing, consider using the more precise "one-third of students" or the percentage equivalent "approximately 33% of students".

Common error

Avoid using "a third of students" without clearly defining the population. For example, instead of saying "A third of students failed", specify "A third of students in the class failed" or "A third of students surveyed failed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third of students" functions as a partitive noun phrase, designating a specific portion of a group. It quantifies the number of students being discussed, indicating that the focus is on a subset of the entire student population, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a third of students" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that approximately 33% of a student population is involved in a particular scenario. As Ludwig examples show, its neutrality makes it adaptable to various contexts, from formal reports to news articles. To maximize clarity, define the population you're discussing. If you need alternatives, Ludwig suggests options like "approximately 33% of students" or "one in three students". Be specific about what group of students you are referencing and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately 33% of students

Uses a percentage to express the same proportion.

around 33 percent of students

Similar to the previous phrase, but uses "percent" instead of "%"

one in three students

Expresses the proportion using a ratio.

roughly a third of students

Adds a hedge to indicate an approximate value.

about one-third of students

Uses "one-third" instead of "a third".

close to a third of students

Indicates the proportion is near but not exactly a third.

just under a third of students

Slightly less than a third is represented.

slightly over a third of students

Indicates the proportion is a bit more than a third.

a portion of students

Uses a more general term to describe a non-specific part of students.

some students

A more generic and less specific way to indicate a number of students

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a third of students" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "approximately 33% of students", "one in three students", or "about one-third of students" depending on the desired level of precision and formality. See also: "approximately 33% of students", "one in three students".

Is it more accurate to say "a third of students" or "one-third of students"?

Both "a third of students" and "one-third of students" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. "One-third" might be preferred in more formal or technical contexts. However, using "approximately 33% of students" is often the most precise.

What does "a third of students" typically refer to?

"A third of students" refers to approximately 33.33% of a specific group of students. The specific group must be defined for the phrase to have a clear meaning, for example, students at a particular school or those enrolled in a specific program.

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

It's appropriate to use "a third of students" in various contexts, including academic reports, news articles, and general discussions, when you need to convey that approximately one-third of a student population is involved in a particular situation or outcome. Be sure the context specifies the set of students referred to. Consider using "around 33 percent of students" in reports.