about two thirds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about two thirds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a quantity or proportion that is approximately two-thirds of a whole. Example: "About two thirds of the participants agreed with the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

About two thirds raised their hands.

The Guardian

I've managed to salvage about two thirds of the orange.

Yale University

About two thirds voted for U.S. equities.

Forbes

Among them, about two thirds have one elderly person.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

About two thirds of one percent.

Huffington Post

About two thirds were women.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

About two-thirds insisted that vaccines cause autism.

Johns Hopkins University

About two-thirds answered correctly.

The Economist

About two-thirds of children were malnourished.

The New York Times

Of those initiatives, about two-thirds passed.

The Economist

(Today it's about two-thirds).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about two thirds", ensure the context supports an approximate value rather than requiring an exact figure. If precision is necessary, use a percentage.

Common error

Avoid treating "about two thirds" as a precise measurement. Always consider the margin of error inherent in approximations when presenting or interpreting data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about two thirds" functions primarily as a quantifier, specifically as an approximation of a fraction. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage in various contexts. It modifies a noun to indicate that approximately 66% of it is being referred to.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about two thirds" is a grammatically correct and commonly used quantifier that approximates a fraction. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While versatile, it's crucial to remember that it indicates an approximation, not an exact measurement. Consider using percentages for precision when necessary. Ludwig confirms its suitability for both formal and informal writing, solidifying its role as a valuable tool for effective communication. It is most frequently used in Science, News & Media, and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly 66 percent

Expresses the same proportion using a percentage instead of a fraction, providing a more precise numerical equivalent.

approximately two thirds

Replaces "about" with "approximately", offering a slightly more formal and precise estimation.

nearly two thirds

Substitutes "about" with "nearly", suggesting the proportion is very close to, but not quite, two thirds.

around two thirds

Uses "around" instead of "about", conveying a similar sense of approximation.

in the vicinity of two thirds

A more verbose way of saying "about two thirds", suitable for formal contexts.

a majority, specifically around 66%

Combines a qualitative descriptor (majority) with a more precise quantitative estimate.

more than half but not quite three quarters

Describes the proportion using boundary markers, useful when precision is less critical.

a substantial portion, roughly 66%

Substitutes "about two thirds" with a more descriptive and less precise term.

close to 67 percent

Offers a percentage that's close to two thirds but slightly adjusted for easier calculation or reporting.

two thirds give or take

Indicates the amount is close to the amount but with a margin of error.

FAQs

How can I use "about two thirds" in a sentence?

Use "about two thirds" to indicate that approximately 66% of something is being referenced. For example, "About two thirds of the students passed the exam".

What phrases are similar to "about two thirds"?

You can use alternatives like "roughly 66 percent", "approximately two thirds", or "nearly two thirds" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "about two thirds" or "66 percent"?

It depends on the level of precision required. "About two thirds" is suitable for general estimations, while "66 percent" is more precise. Use "66 percent" when accuracy is important.

Can "about two thirds" be used in formal writing?

Yes, but use it judiciously. In highly formal or scientific contexts, it may be better to use a more precise percentage or fraction. However, in many cases, "about two thirds" is perfectly acceptable.