a third of the maximum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a third of the maximum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing proportions or measurements in relation to a maximum value. Example: "The recommended dosage is a third of the maximum allowed amount for adults."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This is less than a third of the maximum number she could have been handed.

The Guardian - Business

Under the sentencing now used for nonviolent felons, an inmate often becomes eligible for parole after serving a third of the maximum sentence imposed.

The New York Times

None of the bankers received the total number of shares they were first awarded in May 2010 as they hit performance targets that entitled them to only a third of the maximum.

The Guardian - Business

The results of recent experimental studies have suggested that frequent administration of certain cytotoxic agents at low doses (a tenth to a third of the maximum tolerated dose), known as 'metronomic' chemotherapy, increases the antiangiogenic activity of the drugs.

The Lancet Oncology

In a study published in the American Journal of Public Health participants underestimated the calories in unhealthy foods at a restaurant by more than 600 calories, around a third of the maximum a woman is supposed to consume in a day.Proponents of menu labelling hope that knowing what is in their food may direct people to healthier items.

The Economist

One 2-ounce serving of some brands contains almost a third of the maximum recommended daily sodium intake.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Analysis of the air samples showed the average level of asbestos was about a hundredth of the maximum level of two-tenths of a fiber per cubic centimeter to which asbestos workers can be exposed under Federal law.

The New York Times

It was observed by He et al. [9] through an experiment that the DCP of non-foggy outdoor natural scenes had 90% of the pixels below a tenth of the maximum possible value, hence the dark nomenclature in DCP.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The exchange fluxes of the carbon source were fixed to a maximum of 20 mmol/g dry weight of biomass/h, which is close to a maximum uptake rate for E. coli [ 77] and 5 mmol/g dry weight of biomass/h for oxygen, which is about a fourth of the maximum fluxes measured in air for E. coli as C. jejuni is microearophilic.

BMC Genomics

Both charges have a maximum sentence of five years, meaning that Auernheimer will only serve about a third of the possible maximum sentence.

TechCrunch

Note that although a camera with 12 bit resolution was used, the highest pixel value we observed was only a third of the possible maximum value.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a third of the maximum", ensure the context clearly defines what the "maximum" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a third of the maximum" without establishing the context of the "maximum" value first. For instance, instead of saying "a third of the maximum", specify "a third of the maximum recommended daily intake" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third of the maximum" functions as a quantitative descriptor, specifying a proportional amount in relation to a maximum value. Ludwig's examples show its use across diverse fields, indicating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a third of the maximum" serves as a straightforward quantitative descriptor, effectively conveying that a value or quantity is one-third of its highest possible extent. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in various contexts. Although examples are somewhat limited, the phrase finds use across scientific, news, and business domains, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Alternative phrases such as "approximately 33% of the maximum" or "one third of the peak" can offer similar precision and impact, while ensuring clarity is essential when defining the "maximum" value in any given context. Use cases are generally linked to limitations and proportions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

One third of the peak

Replaces "maximum" with "peak", changing the focus from a general upper limit to a specific high point.

Approximately 33% of the maximum

Adds "approximately" for less precision and uses percentage instead of fraction.

Roughly a third of the upper limit

Substitutes "maximum" with "upper limit", offering a more descriptive alternative.

About a third of the highest value

Replaces "maximum" with "highest value", providing a clearer meaning.

A portion reaching 33% of the maximum value

More verbose way of expressing the same quantity, using "portion" and "reaching".

Close to 33 percent of the maximum

Offers a synonymous expression using percentage and "close to" for approximation.

A percentage amounting to a third of the maximum

Adds explicit reference to the amount being a percentage.

Nearly a third of the greatest extent

Replaces "maximum" with "greatest extent" focusing on scope or range.

Just under 34 percent of the maximum

More precise but equivalent alternative, using a specific percentage.

Around a third of the possible ceiling

Emphasizes the upper boundary by using the word "ceiling" instead of maximum.

FAQs

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

You can use "a third of the maximum" to describe a quantity or limit that is one-third of the greatest possible amount. For example, "The dose should not exceed "a third of the maximum" allowed."

What's a more formal alternative to "a third of the maximum"?

A more formal alternative could be "approximately 33.33% of the maximum value". This phrasing uses a precise percentage and more formal vocabulary.

How does "a third of the maximum" compare to "half of the maximum"?

"A third of the maximum" indicates a smaller proportion (approximately 33%) compared to "half of the maximum" (50%). The choice depends on the specific quantity you are describing.

Can I use "a third of the maximum" when the maximum isn't precisely defined?

While possible, it's best to define the "maximum" for clarity. If the maximum is implicitly understood within the context, the phrase is acceptable, but explicitness is preferable to avoid ambiguity. Alternatively, you could use something like "around a third of the upper limit".