a third of the planet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a third of the planet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing proportions or statistics related to the Earth's surface, population, or resources. Example: "A third of the planet is covered by forests, which play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It's estimated that nearly a third of the planet will be watching the wedding on Friday.

The New Yorker

With the global population increasing by 80 million each year, a third of the planet will likely face water shortages by 2025.

Columbia University

Of course there is still a huge amount to do – a third of the planet has no access to the internet.

The Guardian

Extreme drought, in which agriculture is in effect impossible, will affect about a third of the planet, according to the study from the Met Office's Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research.

Independent

Some believe that a third of the planet, most of its northern hemisphere, was once covered by water, which gives rise to speculation that Martian sea life arose billions of years ago.

The New York Times

The WWF estimates that farmland already occupies more than a third of the planet's surface.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Groundwater provides about a fifth of the planet's water needs and half its drinking water.

The Economist

The huge body of water spread over a fifth of the planet's surface, as great a portion as the Atlantic covers the Earth, and was a mile deep in places.

The Guardian

Based on the Martian terrain today, the scientists believe the water pooled into a much deeper ocean in the low-lying northern plains, creating an ocean that covered nearly a fifth of the planet's surface.

The Guardian

Named Time magazine's person of the year for 2010 – it said Facebook was the "connective tissue for nearly a tenth of the planet" – and the focus of the film The Social Network, Zuckerberg has been transformed from an awkward and unpromising geek into the world's richest and most famous twentysomething, listened to by world leaders.

The Guardian

Those gods, at least, must be smiling.Known as the "pearl" or "blue eye" of Siberia, and as the "Sacred Sea" to the Buryats, a Mongol people who have lived on and around it for centuries, Baikal is the world's oldest, deepest and largest lake, containing around a fifth of the planet's unfrozen fresh water.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a third of the planet", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured or described (e.g., landmass, population, resources) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a third of the planet" loosely. Always ensure that the statement is backed by reliable data and accurately reflects the proportion being discussed, rather than exaggerating the extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third of the planet" functions as a quantifying phrase, specifying a proportion or fraction of the Earth's surface, population, or resources. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from geographical coverage to global population statistics. Ludwig AI validates its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a third of the planet" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a significant proportion related to the Earth. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears commonly in News & Media and Academia, serving to provide a general estimate of scale for various global issues. While alternatives like "one third of the world" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. When using this phrase, clarity in context is crucial to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one third of the world

Replaces "planet" with "world", maintaining the same proportional meaning.

approximately 33% of the Earth

Expresses the proportion as a percentage of the Earth.

a third of the global population

Focuses on the population aspect instead of the physical planet.

one out of three people worldwide

Presents the proportion in terms of individual people globally.

a significant portion of the Earth

Uses a less precise term to indicate a large part of the planet.

a considerable fraction of the world

Employs 'fraction' instead of 'third', indicating a notable part.

around 33 percent globally

Provides a percentage-based estimate without explicitly mentioning the "planet".

a substantial segment of the world

Uses 'segment' to denote a considerable portion of the global landscape or population.

a large percentage of the globe

Focuses on 'globe' as an alternative to 'planet', indicating a major part.

a major share of the Earth's surface

Highlights the surface area of the Earth as the subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "a third of the planet" to describe proportions related to the Earth. For example, "Extreme drought will affect about "a third of the planet", according to the study."

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

Alternatives include "one third of the world", "approximately 33% of the Earth", or "a significant portion of the Earth", depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "a third of the planet" or "one third of the Earth"?

Both "a third of the planet" and "one third of the Earth" are generally accurate and interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference and context. Earth is more specific, while planet might encompass other celestial bodies in broader contexts.

When should I use "a third of the planet" instead of a more precise percentage?

Use "a third of the planet" when an approximate proportion is sufficient and you want to avoid overly specific numbers. For situations requiring accuracy, use a precise percentage.