by a third

USAGE SUMMARY

"by a third" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a decrease in something, for example "The value of the stock decreased by a third."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reduce by a third.

The New York Times - Health

Robberies fell by a third.

The Economist

Payouts per claim fell by a third.

The New York Times

The price level fell by a third.

The Economist

Some wages shrank by a third.

The Economist

Imports fell by a third in August.

The Economist

She devalued the currency by a third.

The New York Times

Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer.

Gene

Boil until reduced by a third.

The New York Times - Arts

Complications were cut by a third.

The Guardian

Calorie intake fell by a third.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by a third", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced or divided. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the original quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "to a third" when you mean a reduction. "By a third" indicates a decrease, while "to a third" specifies a final proportion of the original amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a third" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the amount or degree by which something has been reduced, decreased, or changed. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by a third" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to quantify a reduction or decrease. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. It's crucial to distinguish its meaning from "to a third", which indicates a proportion rather than a reduction. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what is being reduced and consider using alternatives like "decreased by 33 percent" for variety. The frequent occurrence of this phrase in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased by 33 percent

Uses a percentage instead of a fraction to express a similar reduction.

reduced by one-third

Replaces "a third" with its equivalent fraction form, adding formality.

shrank by a third

Emphasizes the reduction using the verb "shrank".

diminished by a third

Replaces "decreased" with "diminished", suggesting a gradual reduction.

fallen by a third

Focuses on the state of being reduced using the verb "fallen".

one third less

Rearranges the words to emphasize the remaining amount after reduction.

a third of the original amount

Highlights the remaining fraction compared to the starting value.

cut by approximately 33%

Adds hedging and percentage approximation.

approximately a third less

Adds uncertainty in the estimation.

a third fewer

Emphasizes that the reduction represents a discrete quantity.

FAQs

How do I use "by a third" in a sentence?

"By a third" is used to indicate a reduction or decrease. For example, "The company's profits decreased by a third this quarter."

What's the difference between "by a third" and "to a third"?

"By a third" means a reduction of 33.33%, while "to a third" means something is now one-third of its original size or value. They have opposite meanings and use cases.

What can I say instead of "by a third"?

You can use alternatives like "decreased by 33 percent" or "reduced by one-third" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "reduced to a third" instead of "reduced by a third"?

No, "reduced to a third" and "reduced by a third" have different meanings. "Reduced to a third" means the final amount is one-third of the original. "Reduced by a third" means the original amount was decreased by one-third of its value.