and fourthly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and fourthly" is correct and usable in written English, although it is less common than other ordinal indicators.
You can use it when enumerating points or arguments in a structured manner, particularly in formal writing or speeches. Example: "First, we need to address the budget; second, we should consider the timeline; third, we must evaluate the resources; and fourthly, we can discuss the potential risks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

And fourthly, we must have a steady voice coming out of our administration.

The New York Times

And fourthly, it is not better to give than to receive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And fourthly, the government is playing a very sinister and dangerous game of guilt by association.

The Guardian - Opinion

And fourthly, Mr Ocalan hardly seemed to have the qualities necessary in a leader.

The Economist

And fourthly, an attack could embed code onto the site so that visitors could be attacked from what they would believe to be a trusted source.

The Guardian

And fourthly, a shark perceives the boat, the cage, and those on board as one entity, larger than itself, as a lion perceives a safari jeep and its load of passengers.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

33 34 Fourthly, and perhaps most powerful and problematic, there might not be genuine commitment to increase diversity by medicine and the academy.

British Medical Journal

Fourthly and finally, we repeat the last step a number of times, and stop until the optimal log-likelihood remains unchanged for m times of consecutive random clustering.

BMC Genomics

Fourthly, and in general: All right, folks, time to find someone else to trash.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fourthly, and in line with the government's open data initiative, putting the raw footage online would provide the public, media and legal enthusiasts the opportunity to use that footage in creative ways.

The Guardian

Fourthly and finally, we investigate any potential endogeneity of our key variable SDS.

Business Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and fourthly" in formal writing or speeches when you want to clearly enumerate points in a sequence. This helps the audience follow your argument logically.

Common error

Avoid using "and fourthly" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pedantic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "also" or "next".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and fourthly" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It is used to introduce the fourth point in a sequence of arguments, reasons, or items. This usage aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig, which demonstrate its role in structuring and organizing information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and fourthly" is a grammatically sound conjunctive phrase used to enumerate the fourth point in a series, often found in formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable, though potentially less common than alternatives such as “fourth” or “in the fourth place”. While versatile, it is best suited for structured arguments, avoiding overuse in casual settings. The phrase appears across various authoritative sources—including news, scientific and business publications—to maintain clarity and logical flow, thus serving as a sequential signpost in structured writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fourthly

Omits the conjunction "and", making it slightly more concise.

and in the fourth place

More verbose but maintains the ordinal indication.

and also

A more general additive conjunction without the explicit sequencing.

and secondly

Focuses on the second item in the list, whereas the original query focuses on the fourth.

and furthermore

Adds additional information without specifying a particular sequence.

and additionally

Similar to "and furthermore", but can be used in more formal contexts.

in the fourth instance

A more formal and less common way to indicate the fourth point.

subsequently

Indicates a following action or event, not necessarily in a numbered list.

following that

Indicates sequence, but without the explicit ordinal number.

and to add to that

Emphasizes the additive nature rather than the sequential.

FAQs

How can I use "and fourthly" in a sentence?

Use "and fourthly" to introduce the fourth point in a series of arguments or reasons. For example: "First, the budget needs review; second, the timeline must be adjusted; third, resources need allocation; "and fourthly", we should address potential risks."

What are some alternatives to "and fourthly"?

Alternatives include "fourth", "in the fourth place", or simply continuing with "also" or "furthermore" depending on the context. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis on the sequential order.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and fourthly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, although starting a sentence with "and" is sometimes discouraged in very formal writing. However, "and fourthly" serves as a conjunction to link the current point to the previous ones in a series.

When is it appropriate to use "and fourthly" versus just "fourthly"?

Using "and fourthly" can create a smoother flow in writing by explicitly connecting the fourth point to the previous ones. "Fourthly" alone is also correct but can feel slightly more abrupt. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.