every third person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every third person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals in a sequence, specifically indicating that you are talking about every third individual in a group or list. Example: "In the survey, we will randomly select every third person to ensure a diverse representation of opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Every third person was shooting heroin," says Gossard, remembering Seattle when Pearl Jam first started.

The Guardian - Music

Manhattan yoga studios must outnumber Starbucks these days, and practically every third person on the sidewalk is toting a mat.

The New York Times - Travel

It starts raining, and about every third person opens an umbrella — that way the entire crowd is protected.

The New York Times

Cheshirkov says: "Looking at Lebanon, it has a population of 4.5 million, every third person is a refugee.

The Guardian

We entered the bustling, fluorescent-lamp-lighted cinder-block garage and, true to the rumor, every third person was wearing camouflage.

The New York Times - Travel

She recently booked a family of 27 going to Crested Butte over the peak holiday week in several different groups instead of one reservation in order to take advantage of the resort's free airfare deal for every third person.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Every second person is an actor.

The New York Times - Arts

Every fourth person in Lebanon is now a Syrian.

The New Yorker

Every fifth person on the street toted a pouch containing a bonneted larva.

The New Yorker

Walking in the park, every second person sports a different item of team kit.

Independent

Today, every fifth person living in Germany is "of non-German background".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "every third person", ensure the context clearly defines the group from which the selection is being made. This prevents ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the proportion being discussed.

Common error

Avoid inconsistent counting when applying the "every third person" rule. Ensure the selection or identification process is consistently applied from the starting point, or it loses its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every third person" functions as a determiner and quantifier, specifying a proportion within a group. Ludwig examples confirm its use to describe prevalence or selection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every third person" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a proportion or frequency within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "one in three people" exist, understanding its proper usage ensures clarity and precision in writing. The phrase is considered acceptable and understandable, making it suitable for general use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one in three people

Expresses the same proportion using a fraction.

one out of three persons

Offers a more descriptive alternative to the same rate of prevalence.

each third individual

Focuses on the selection of individuals based on a recurring frequency.

a third of the population

Focuses on the proportion within a specific population.

a third of all people

Emphasizes the proportion relative to the total number of people.

approximately a third of people

Introduces an approximation while maintaining the proportion.

roughly one third of individuals

Expresses an estimation of quantity.

every fifth person

Changes the frequency of selection to every fifth individual.

every fourth person

Changes the frequency of selection to every fourth individual.

every second person

Changes the frequency of selection to every other individual.

FAQs

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

Use "every third person" to indicate a selection or characteristic applying to one individual out of every three in a group. For example, "In the study, "every third person" was given a placebo."

What can I say instead of "every third person"?

You can use alternatives like "one in three people", "a third of the population", or "approximately a third of people depending on the context".

Is it grammatically correct to say "every third person"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Every" is used with a singular noun to indicate each individual in a series, and "third" specifies the position in that series.

What's the difference between "every third person" and "every three people"?

"Every third person" refers to one specific individual out of a group of three. "Every three people" would imply that for each group of three people, something applies to the group as a whole rather than one individual.