a third of the level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a third of the level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing proportions or measurements in relation to a specific level or standard. Example: "The project is currently at a third of the level we aimed to achieve by the end of the quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Last year BT's free cashflow before dividends slipped to £737m, 40% of the level of the year before and a third of the level a decade ago.

The Economist

In the last fiscal year net foreign direct investment was a measly $4 billion—a third of the level of 2008.

The Economist

We are now building the lowest number of houses in nearly a century, running at less than a third of the level to meet demand, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The Guardian - Money

CEBR reckons that the bonus pool in London's financial district will slump by some 38% this year, leaving it at about a third of the level it was before the financial crisis.

The Economist

They worry that Mr Denktash is throwing away their best hope of coming in from the cold and ending decades of poverty: GDP per head in the Turkish zone is about a third of the level on the Greek side, and membership of the EU would mean big subsidies from Brussels.

The Economist

That was the lowest level in the UK and less than a third of the level in London where £644 was spent, according to the ONS.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Levels of the bacteria in water from seagrass meadows, they found, were a third of the levels in water from other sites.

The New York Times - Science

According to UN Environment, today's commitments will reduce emissions by no more than a third of the levels required by 2030, risking warming of up to 3.4°C.

HuffPost

Government scientists estimate that the total radiation released on land was about a sixth of the level at Chernobyl.

The New Yorker

In any case, foreign purchases of corporate bonds fell to under $100 billion in 2008, less than a fifth of the level two years before.

The New York Times

The firm's production has been around 10,000 barrels a day this year, a fifth of the level predicted in the IPO prospectus.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, ensure that the baseline or original "level" is clearly defined to provide context for the "third" being referenced. For example: "The noise level is a third of the level recorded last year."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without specifying what the "level" is referring to. Ambiguity can confuse readers. Be explicit, such as: "The cost is now a third of the level it was before the recession."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third of the level" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates a proportional relationship, specifying that something is reduced to, or constitutes a fraction of, a reference quantity, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a third of the level" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is proportionally smaller than a reference point. As Ludwig examples show, its purpose is to quantify and compare, offering a sense of scale that is applicable across various contexts like News & Media, Science and Academia. Although Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English, it's important to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

One third of the height

Replaces "a" with "one" and uses "height" instead of the more general "level".

Approximately 33% of the grade

Expresses the proportion as a percentage and substitutes "level" with "grade".

Roughly a third of the elevation

Adds the qualifier "roughly" and uses "elevation" in place of "level".

A portion equaling one-third of the standard

Uses more formal language like "portion equaling" and "standard" instead of "level".

About a third of the intensity

Substitutes "level" with "intensity" offering a different nuance.

A third of the magnitude

Replaces the word "level" with "magnitude" implying size or importance.

Close to thirty percent of the benchmark

Utilizes a percentage to communicate size and substitutes the term "level" with the term "benchmark".

A third of the extent

Alters "level" for "extent", framing the amount in terms of space or scale.

A fragment representing thirty-three percent of the overall status

Employs the term "fragment" in place of "level" and defines the size by using percentage.

Around thirty percent of the performance

Frames size in terms of "performance" and replaces the fractional size "a third" by percentage size.

FAQs

How can I use "a third of the level" in a sentence?

You can use "a third of the level" to compare a current state to a previous one, indicating a reduction or proportion. For example, "The water consumption is "a third of the level" it was last summer".

What are some alternatives to saying "a third of the level"?

Alternatives include "one-third of the height", "approximately 33% of the grade", or "roughly "a third of the elevation"", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a third of the level" or "33% of the level"?

Both are correct, but "33% of the level" might be more precise and easier to understand, especially in technical contexts. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and specificity.

What does "a third of the level" imply?

It implies that a quantity, measurement, or state is reduced to or constitutes approximately 33.33% of a previously established or understood standard. For example, saying something is "a third of the level" indicates it's significantly less than the original amount.