every third one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every third one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a selection or occurrence of items at regular intervals, specifically every third item in a sequence. Example: "To create a balanced sample, we will select every third one from the list of participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It seems like every third one is a gay couple.

The New York Times

In the old town, every building seems to house a dozen storeys, and every third one seems to be crumbling.

The Guardian - Travel

Some 32 yards (30 m) behind these was a continuous line of logs driven into the sand pointing seaward, every third one capped with an anti-tank mine.

Wikipedia

In general, we are relatively unconcerned by FNs because our software will enable all images to be analyzed rather than every third one, as most often done manually [ 8].

Biomedical Optics Express

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"And more or less every second one had his name on it".

The New York Times

About every tenth one is spicy hot, which only adds to the fun.

The New York Times

Polos were launched in 1948 and 38m are produced every day, with more than 140 consumed every second, one in five of them spearmint flavoured.

The Guardian

"The buyers will come, just as the leaves will sprout, the roses bud, the waves roll in every few minutes, every seventh one greater than the others".

The New York Times - Arts

Even if not every CD you own is present in one of these databases, typing in the details for every hundredth one or so is a small chore, made easier by knowing that you are helping every other owner.

The Guardian

I cherish the watch, which carries on its dial, instead of the usual small hand, the silhouette of a minuscule locomotive pulling three coaches and advancing every second, one notch at a time.

The New Yorker

Silicon Valley companies — every second one seemingly started by a Harvard University dropout (Microsoft founder Bill Gates; Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg) — are not only reinventing how businesses are run, they are also leveraging their success to breathe new life into how philanthropies are run and how governments should be run.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "every third one", ensure the context clearly defines what "one" refers to. For example, "every third line" is more specific than just "every third one".

Common error

Avoid using "every third one" in situations where the reader may not immediately understand what the "one" refers to. Clarity is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every third one" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a selection or occurrence at regular intervals. It is used to indicate that out of a series, each third item is being considered. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "every third one" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a selection or occurrence at regular intervals. Ludwig AI indicates that it's generally accepted and usable in English. While "every third one" is reasonably versatile, it's essential to ensure the context makes clear what "one" refers to. More specific alternatives, such as "every third item", can enhance clarity. Its frequency is uncommon, mostly appearing in news and media, and scientific contexts. Therefore, while usable, strive for explicit language for clarity, especially in more formal environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every third item

Specifies 'item' instead of a generic 'one', making the reference more concrete.

every third example

Substitutes 'one' with 'example', making the subject matter more specific.

each third one

Replaces 'every' with 'each', emphasizing individual selection.

every third instance

Replaces 'one' with 'instance', highlighting the occurrence of something.

every third element

Uses 'element' to denote a specific part of a larger group.

every third occurrence

Similar to 'every third instance', but focuses on the event happening.

every third selection

Focuses on the act of choosing.

one in every three

Changes the structure to emphasize the proportion or ratio.

one out of three

Another way to express the proportion.

a third of all

Expresses the quantity as a fraction of the whole.

FAQs

How can I use "every third one" in a sentence?

Use "every third one" to indicate a selection or occurrence at regular intervals. For example: "To create a balanced sample, we will select every third one from the list of participants."

What's a more specific way to say "every third one"?

To be more specific, replace "one" with the actual item being counted, such as "every third item", "every third house", or "every third day".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "every third one"?

Alternatives include "one in every three" or "a third of the" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "every third one" in formal writing?

Yes, "every third one" is acceptable in formal writing, but ensure clarity by explicitly stating what "one" refers to, or by using a more specific phrase such as "every third item".