a third of the diameter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a third of the diameter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing measurements, proportions, or calculations related to circles or spherical objects. Example: "The radius of the circle is a third of the diameter, which makes it easier to calculate the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In practice it is advisable to keep pin sizes to within a third of the diameter of the bone to reduce the risk of fracture on removal of the half-pin.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

At roughly a tenth of the diameter of the Milky Way's disc, that is big even by galactic standards.

The Economist

But accuracy remains the problem: a wave from millions of light years away would distort a four kilometre laser beam by less than a thousandth of the diameter of the nucleus of an atom.

The Guardian

Certain aspects of quantum mechanics predict that space-time - the three dimensions of space plus time -- would not be smooth on the scale of about ten times a billionth of a trillionth of the diameter of a hydrogen atom's nucleus.

Harvard University

In February, G.M. added glass beads 8 microns wide -- about a tenth of the diameter of a human hair -- to its approved pigment list, said David E. Burnett, president and co-founder of Prizmalite Industries, which supplies beads of glass -- new, not recycled -- to paint makers.

The New York Times

This captivating book ranges from the loudest sound ever encountered by a human ear — the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa was heard 5,000km away — to the softest we can perceive, which makes the tiny bones in our eardrum vibrate by less than a thousandth of the diameter of a hydrogen atom.

The Times

It is from a tube slipped into that distal end that oil is now being pumped up to Discoverer Enterprise and its attendant barges.In this section What lies beneath The whey to greener electricity To get the girl ReprintsThe insertion device, about a fifth of the diameter of the riser itself, is not supposed to block the flow of oil completely.

The Economist

Typically they're about a thousandth of the diameter of a human hair.

Forbes

The machine stores an enormous amount of electrical energy and then releases it all at once into a ring of 360 fine tungsten wires, each about a tenth of the diameter of a human hair.

Science Magazine

For a typical wave from some far-off astronomical paroxysm, the change in distance would be tiny: a kilometre would get shorter by about a quarter of a million-trillionth of a metre, or less than a thousandth of the diameter of a proton, one of the key subatomic particles in an atom's nucleus.

BBC

That left the star with only its helium core, which was a third of the sun's diameter and bore a quarter of its mass.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using “a third of the diameter”, ensure the context clearly establishes what object's diameter is being referred to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in technical descriptions or instructions.

Common error

Avoid using “a third of the diameter” when a more precise measurement is required. This phrase is suitable for approximations, but use exact values or ratios for scenarios demanding accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third of the diameter" functions primarily as a descriptive component within a sentence, modifying another element by specifying a proportional relationship. This relationship defines a measurement as being equivalent to one-third of the full diameter. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a third of the diameter" serves as a descriptive component, specifying that a measurement is proportional to one-third of the full diameter. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, and this phrase appears in various contexts, most commonly in science and news media. Alternatives include "one third of the diameter" or approximations such as "approximately a third of the diameter". When using this phrase, ensure it's clear what diameter is being referenced, and opt for more precise measurements when accuracy is critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

One third of the diameter

Uses the numerical form 'one' instead of the article 'a'.

One-third of the diameter

Uses a hyphenated form of 'one-third'.

Approximately a third of the diameter

Adds a qualifier to indicate an estimation rather than an exact measurement.

Roughly a third of the diameter

Similar to 'approximately', indicates an estimate.

About a third of the diameter

A more casual way of indicating an estimation.

A third in diameter

Omits 'of the' to create a shorter, slightly less formal phrasing.

33% of the diameter

Expresses the proportion as a percentage.

A third of its diameter

Replaces 'the' with 'its' to specify a particular object's diameter.

A portion equaling a third of the diameter

Uses a more descriptive and elaborate way to express the proportion.

Substantially less than half the diameter

Describes the length of the segment without explicitly mentioning the exact length. Implies that it is noticeably smaller than half of the diameter.

FAQs

How do I use “a third of the diameter” in a sentence?

This phrase is used to describe a length or distance that is equal to one third of the full diameter of an object. For example, “The radius is "a third of the diameter", if we consider that the height is equal to a diameter and a half”.

What can I say instead of “a third of the diameter”?

Alternatives include "one third of the diameter", approximately a third of the diameter, or 33% of the diameter, depending on the level of precision required.

Is it correct to say “a third of the diameter” or “one third of the diameter”?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and acceptable. The choice between “a third” and "“one third”" often depends on stylistic preference or the context of the writing.

When should I use “a third of the diameter” instead of a specific measurement?

Use “a third of the diameter” when providing an approximation or a general comparison, rather than a precise measurement. This is useful when the exact diameter is unknown or when emphasizing a proportional relationship.