a third prisoner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a third prisoner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an additional prisoner in a context where there are already two known prisoners. Example: "During the investigation, it was revealed that a third prisoner had been involved in the escape plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A third prisoner died Saturday of unknown causes.

The New York Times

A third prisoner died after an interrogation in which a C.I.A. officer participated, though the officer evidently did not cause the death.

The New Yorker

A third prisoner, the Australian David Hicks, reached a plea agreement that sent him home to serve a nine-month prison sentence.

The Guardian

A third prisoner who had escaped, described as a Sunni insurgent leader, was killed in a gun battle with the police on Saturday.

The New York Times

A third prisoner issues an opening statement that quickly makes his an open-and-shut case: "When I get out of here, I will cut the throat of an American".

The New York Times

By the time the helicopters had reached their destination, two of the prisoners "were found to be unresponsive", according to the squadron leader, while "there was some commotion at the front of the aircraft" because a third prisoner, a disabled man, had somehow parted company with both his prosthetic legs.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A fifth prisoner has his hands at his sides.

The New Yorker

A fourth prisoner, Irmgard Möller, had stab wounds but survived.

The Guardian

After a daylong confrontation, the Israelis seized the five Popular Front members and a sixth prisoner from a separate case.

The New York Times

A ninth prisoner scheduled to face the firing squad, Filipino woman Mary Jane Veloso, received a last-minute temporary reprieve.

The Guardian

A second prisoner, who was captured near Shurgat, has detailed Baghdadi's injuries to Iraqi and US interrogators.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a third prisoner", ensure the context clearly establishes the existence of at least two other prisoners to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a third prisoner" as the initial reference to prisoners in a narrative; introduce the first two prisoners or the general context of imprisonment first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a third prisoner" functions as a noun phrase identifying an individual within a group of incarcerated persons. Ludwig shows that it typically follows the mention of other prisoners, adding a new member to the group.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a third prisoner" is grammatically correct and used to introduce an additional incarcerated individual after others have been mentioned. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While other similar terms like "another prisoner" or "an additional inmate" can be used, it's important to ensure clarity and context when referring to prisoners. Remember to establish the presence of other prisoners before introducing "a third prisoner" to avoid confusion. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is suitable for use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

another prisoner

Uses a more general term for "another" instead of specifying "third".

an additional inmate

Replaces "prisoner" with "inmate" for a slightly different connotation.

a further detainee

Employs the term "detainee", implying someone held in custody, which may not necessarily be for criminal charges.

a subsequent prisoner

Highlights the sequence or order of imprisonment.

a remaining captive

Uses "captive" to emphasize the lack of freedom and the state of being held.

one more prisoner

A more emphatic way of saying another prisoner is present.

a newly incarcerated individual

Focuses on the act of imprisonment and the individual's status.

the third inmate

Uses "inmate" instead of "prisoner" and includes "the" instead of "a"

a trio of prisoners

Refers to the group of three prisoners including the "third".

an extra prisoner

Uses "extra" to denote an additional prisoner, emphasizing the unexpectedness or excess.

FAQs

How do I use "a third prisoner" in a sentence?

Use "a third prisoner" when you are introducing an additional prisoner after already mentioning at least two others, such as: "Two prisoners escaped last night; a third prisoner /s/another+prisoner was caught attempting the same."

What can I say instead of "a third prisoner"?

You can use alternatives like "another prisoner", "an additional inmate", or "a further detainee" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the third prisoner" instead of "a third prisoner"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "a third prisoner" implies that this prisoner is being introduced as additional to a previously known group. "The third prisoner" suggests a specific, already identified prisoner in a defined sequence.

What is the difference between "a third prisoner" and "a third inmate"?

The terms "prisoner" and "inmate" are often used interchangeably, but "inmate" is a slightly more general term referring to anyone confined in an institution, whereas "prisoner" specifically implies someone held due to a crime.