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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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and second that

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and second that" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "I second that," which is used to express agreement with a statement or proposal made by someone else. Example: "I think we should implement a four-day workweek. I second that."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And second, that any such plan looks beyond a candidate's financial record.

News & Media

The Guardian

And, second, that the power of the loop to soothe shouldn't be underestimated.

And, second, that censorship must inevitably involve the promotion of an unpleasant ideology.

News & Media

The Guardian

And second, that resolution of the Kashmir dispute is no longer a precondition to better relations.

News & Media

The Economist

And second, that the law alone can change people's sexual behaviour.

News & Media

Independent

And second, that the ruling Communist Party will fail to overcome the vested interests resisting changes.

News & Media

The New York Times

And second, that his strategy of chasing the far-right vote would pay off.

News & Media

The Economist

First, that Ibrahimovic was so obviously offside, and, second, that he was there at all.

And, second, that position does not necessarily entail the abolition of gun control.

News & Media

The Economist

And second, that the worldwide war with Islamic militants has few boundaries.

News & Media

Independent

And second, that there's nobody waiting in the wings who's up to the task either.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, replace "and second that" with "secondly" or "in the second place" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "and second that" in formal contexts. Although it appears in numerous publications, it is not grammatically correct. Opt for clearer alternatives like "secondly" or restructuring the sentence for better clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and second that" functions as a conjunction to introduce a secondary point. However, its grammatical correctness is disputed. As noted by Ludwig AI, standard English dictates more formal alternatives. The phrase often links a preceding statement to a subsequent, related idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "and second that" is frequently used across various sources, including news and media, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that more appropriate alternatives like "secondly" or "in the second place" should be preferred, especially in formal contexts. Despite its common occurrence, writers should aim for clarity and grammatical accuracy by using more precise transitional phrases. It's important to acknowledge its frequent use while understanding its grammatical limitations.

FAQs

Is "and second that" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "and second that" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Consider using alternatives like "secondly" or restructuring your sentence for clarity.

What can I say instead of "and second that"?

You can use alternatives like "secondly", "in the second place", or restructure your sentence to use "also" or "in addition".

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when listing multiple points?

Use clear and grammatically correct transitional phrases such as "first", "secondly", and "thirdly" to enumerate your points in a structured manner.

In what contexts should I avoid using "and second that"?

Avoid using "and second that" in formal writing, academic papers, or professional communications. It's best suited for informal conversations or less formal writing styles.

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Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: