at 3

USAGE SUMMARY

'at 3' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific time of day, such as, "I will meet you at 3 o'clock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

| Nov. 23 at 3: "Not Reconciled".

The New Yorker

At 3 p.m.; free.

The New York Times - Arts

Return at 3 a.m.

The New York Times

But at 3 a.m.

The New York Times

Warm bread at 3 A.M.

The New Yorker

Tomorrow at 3 pm.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

He remains at 3-under.

The New York Times

He arrived at 3 15.

The New York Times - Sports

He stays at -3.

The Guardian - Sport

He remains at -3.

The Guardian - Sport

Schools still let out at 3 00.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at 3" for specific times, numerical positions, or levels. Be precise with the information that follows to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at 3" without specifying am or pm, especially in formal writing. Provide the full context to prevent misinterpretation. Instead of "The meeting is at 3", write "The meeting is at 3 pm".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at 3" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a specific point in time or a numerical position. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from scheduled events to reporting crime times.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at 3" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote specific times, numerical positions, or levels. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. With numerous examples from reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, it is evident that this phrase is a standard way to convey precise information. While generally neutral in register, clarity is crucial. Always specify "am/pm" when referring to time to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "three o'clock" or "3 AM/PM". Whether scheduling an event or reporting a statistic, "at 3" serves as a concise and effective way to communicate specific details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at three

Uses the spelled-out version of the number.

exactly at 3

Adds emphasis on the precise timing.

precisely 3

Emphasizes exactness, whether in time or quantity.

around 3

Indicates an approximate time, close to 3 o'clock.

by 3 o'clock

Specifies a deadline or latest possible time.

scheduled for 3

Indicates a planned event at a specific time.

on the 3rd

Refers to a specific date in a month.

reached 3

Specifies a numerical attainment or milestone.

positioned at 3

Indicates a placement or ranking in a sequence.

by the third

Indicates a deadline that occurs on the third day of the month.

FAQs

How can I use "at 3" in a sentence?

You can use "at 3" to specify a time, such as "The event starts "at 3 pm"", or to indicate a position, like "He finished the race "at 3rd place"".

What are some alternatives to saying "at 3" when referring to time?

Instead of "at 3", you could say "three o'clock", "3 AM", or "3 PM", depending on the context.

Is it better to write "at 3" or "at three"?

Both "at 3" and "at three" are grammatically correct. "At 3" is more common in informal contexts and when space is limited, while "at three" might be preferred in more formal writing or when emphasizing the number.

What does "at 3" mean in the context of rankings or positions?

When referring to rankings or positions, "at 3" typically means in third place or at the third position. For example, "Our team is ranked "at 3rd" in the league".