a third of us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a third of us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific portion of a group, indicating that one-third of the members are being discussed or considered. Example: "In our recent survey, a third of us expressed a preference for remote work over in-office attendance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Electricity generation accounts for nearly a third of US emissions.

The Guardian

*Neil Armstrong First man to walk on the Moon, but like a third of US and Soviet astronauts he suffered from motion sickness in space.

Independent

Nearly a third of US millennials are afraid of working too much, for example, compared with 24% of Canadians.

BBC

These are the single biggest source of carbon pollution, accounting for a third of US greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of its carbon output.

BBC

They need it for the exercise; a third of US kids are either overweight or obese.

Huffington Post

24 million additional kids -- that's roughly equivalent to a third of US children.

Huffington Post

"Through this year, maybe a third of US households are addressable," according to Neustar's business development director Lock Dethero.

Huffington Post

More than a third of US adults are considered obese, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vice

More than a third of US adults are considered obese, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vice

A third of us use Facebook.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is it anything to do with the finding that a third of US stethoscopes used in emergencies were contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a third of us", ensure the context clearly defines the group being referred to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures your audience understands who the 'us' represents.

Common error

Avoid using "a third of us" when the 'us' is not clearly defined or easily understood by the audience. Always provide context to clarify who 'us' refers to, preventing confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third of us" functions as a partitive phrase, identifying a specific proportion of a group. As Ludwig AI suggests, it correctly denotes that one-third of the members are being discussed. It often acts as a subject or part of the subject in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

9%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a third of us" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that approximately 33% of a specific group is being referenced. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a partitive phrase that functions to quantify a portion of a group. It is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, reflecting its versatility and general applicability. Remember to ensure the context clearly defines the 'us' to avoid any ambiguity. Alternatives like "one third of us" or "approximately 33% of us" can be used for stylistic variation. The frequency of this phrase in diverse sources, including The Guardian, Huffington Post, and BBC, underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

One third of our group

Replaces "us" with "our group" to specify the group being referred to.

Roughly a third of us

Adds "roughly" to show that the number is approximate.

Approximately 33% of us

Uses a percentage to approximate the fraction, adding a more numerical feel.

One in three of us

Changes the phrasing to a ratio.

About 30 percent of us

Uses a rounded percentage to convey a similar proportion.

A portion of us

Less specific, indicating a part without specifying the exact amount.

A segment of our population

Substitutes "us" with "our population" offering a statistical feel.

Some of our members

Focuses on membership and uses an indefinite pronoun instead of a fraction.

A share of us

Uses "share" to describe the division, which is less precise.

A considerable number of us

Highlights the quantity of the group while keeping the specific numbers vague.

FAQs

How can I use "a third of us" in a sentence?

Use "a third of us" to indicate that approximately 33% of a specific group is being referred to. For example: "A third of us prefer working from home."

What are some alternatives to saying "a third of us"?

You can use phrases like "one third of us", "approximately 33% of us", or "one in three of us" depending on the level of precision required.

Is it more appropriate to use "one third of us" or "a third of us"?

Both "a third of us" and "one third of us" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What does "a third of us" specifically refer to?

"A third of us" means approximately 33.33% of a group that includes the speaker or writer. It indicates a proportional amount of the group being discussed.