constitute a third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute a third" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing proportions or parts of a whole, particularly in statistical or analytical contexts. Example: "In the survey results, those who preferred option A constituted a third of the total respondents."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

I asked Boone Isaacs if her initiative did constitute a third purge.

The New Yorker

It's estimated they will constitute a third of the vote in the 2016 election.

The Guardian

Conodonts constitute a third group of index fossils important for Silurian correlation.

Britannica

We explore whether deficits in temporal processing might constitute a third dissociable neuropsychological component of ADHD.

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Men with criminal records constitute a third of the unemployed males between ages twenty-five and fifty-four. twenty-five and fifty-four

The New Yorker

Throughout the Southeast there have always been communities of people who constitute a third race, usually discriminated against by whites and almost always segregating themselves from Negroes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

It doesn't constitute a third-degree grilling like the vaunted Israeli airport security.

The New York Times

These two formations are heterotopic deposits and constitute a third-order fluvio-lacustrine sequence that can be divided into transgressive and highstand systems tracts.

Cretaceous Research

This would constitute a second revolution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This approach may constitute a first step in soil quality assessment in a broad landscape scale.

Ecological Indicators

The piculets (Picumninae) constitute a second subfamily of soft-tailed, woodpecker-like birds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "constitute a third" to emphasize the proportional significance of a specific component or group within a larger entity.

Common error

A common error is to use "constitute a third" without clearly defining the entire group or entity. Always provide context to avoid ambiguity: "Constitutive a third" of what?

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute a third" primarily functions as a quantifying expression. It specifies that a particular element or group represents one-third of a larger whole. Ludwig's examples show its usage across various fields, indicating its versatility in defining proportions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "constitute a third" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote that something forms one-third of a whole. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its validity. As the examples show, its usage spans across diverse fields like science, news, and encyclopedias, highlighting its broad applicability. While alternatives such as "make up a third" or "account for a third" exist, "constitute a third" remains a precise and versatile choice for indicating proportions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make up a third

Replaces "constitute" with "make up", offering a more informal alternative with identical meaning.

represent one third

Substitutes "constitute" with "represent", focusing on the numerical aspect of being a third.

account for a third

Emphasizes the contribution of a part to the whole, using "account for" instead of "constitute".

form a third of

Highlights the formation of a part from a whole, varying the grammatical structure slightly.

comprise a third

A more formal synonym for "constitute", indicating inclusion within a whole.

consist of a third

Focuses on the composition of something, where a third is a component.

amount to a third

Indicates a total or sum, where the portion is equivalent to a third.

equate to a third

Highlights the equivalence of a portion to the fraction of a third.

be equivalent to one third

Expresses the equality between a portion and the numerical value of one third

hold a third share

Used in contexts where portions are shares, like in business or ownership.

FAQs

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

You can use "constitute a third" to describe a proportion or component of a whole. For example, "Renewable energy sources "make up a third" of the country's energy supply."

What are some alternatives to "constitute a third"?

Alternatives include "account for a third", "represent one third", or "make up a third". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "constitutes to a third"?

No, the correct phrasing is "constitute a third". The verb "constitute" does not require the preposition "to" in this context.

What's the difference between "constitute a third" and "comprise a third"?

"Constitute a third" means to form or compose a third of something. "Comprise a third" also indicates composition, but the two phrases are not perfectly interchangeable. It is correct to say that smaller parts constitute a larger whole. Use "comprise" when talking about the whole composed of smaller parts.