around a third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a third" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate fraction or percentage of a whole, often in statistical or descriptive contexts. Example: "Around a third of the participants reported feeling more energized after the workshop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the flood took around a third of her plants.

The Guardian

Currently only around a third of the population has access to modern telecommunications.

Independent

Around a third of these were children.

The Guardian - Film

Aid accounts for around a third of its budget.

The Economist

Around a third of Americans and Britons suffer from it.

The Economist

In Zambia the fall in both was around a third.

The Economist

Around a third of the homeless are mentally ill.

The New York Times

Fonterra controls around a third of the world's dairy exports.

The New York Times

Around a third of home undergraduates receive this award.

The Guardian

Around a third are here for the first time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Around a third of Luang locals have cashed in.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around a third" in formal writing, consider if a more precise number or range would be more appropriate to enhance clarity and accuracy. However, if an approximation suffices, "around a third" is perfectly acceptable.

Common error

Avoid mixing precise figures with approximations using "around a third" within the same context, as it can create confusion. If providing exact data elsewhere, maintain that level of precision consistently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a third" functions as an adjectival modifier expressing an approximate quantity or proportion. Ludwig examples illustrate it modifying nouns like 'plants', 'population', 'budget' etc, providing a general sense of amount rather than a precise figure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around a third" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an approximate proportion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in various contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing. While precise figures are always preferred when available, "around a third" serves as a valuable tool when providing estimates or general scales are sufficient. When writing, ensure consistency in precision and consider the context to determine whether a more exact number is needed. Alternatives such as "approximately one third" or "roughly a third" can also be used to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately one third

This alternative is a more formal and precise way of saying "around a third".

roughly a third

This alternative uses "roughly" instead of "around", suggesting a slightly less precise estimate.

about a third

This alternative is a simpler and more informal way of expressing the same quantity.

in the neighborhood of a third

This is a more verbose way to express an approximate quantity, implying it's close to a third.

close to a third

Indicates the quantity is near but not necessarily slightly above a third.

nearly a third

Suggests that the quantity is almost, but not quite, a third.

one third approximately

Reverses the order for a slightly different emphasis while retaining the approximate nature.

a little less than a third

This explicitly states that the quantity is slightly smaller than a third.

something like a third

Adds a degree of uncertainty or casualness to the approximation.

a proportion near a third

This phrase uses 'proportion' to highlight the relative amount and indicates approximation using 'near'.

FAQs

How can I use "around a third" in a sentence?

You can use "around a third" to indicate an approximate proportion. For example, "Around a third of the students preferred online learning."

What's a more formal alternative to "around a third"?

A more formal alternative is "approximately one third", which provides a more precise tone while still indicating an estimate.

Is it acceptable to use "around a third" in academic writing?

Yes, "around a third" is acceptable in academic writing when an exact figure is not necessary or available. However, consider using precise data when possible to enhance the accuracy of your writing.

What are some other ways to say "around a third"?

Alternatives include "roughly a third", "about a third", or "close to a third", depending on the nuance you want to convey.