for a third time

USAGE SUMMARY

"for a third time" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to refer to an event or action that has happened twice before and is now happening for a third time. For example, "She opened the door for a third time, revealing an empty room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bridge takes possession for a third time.

The Guardian - Sport

He repeated it for a third time.

The New Yorker

Suddenly he was asked to host for a third time.

The New York Times

She pushes him for a third time: "I'm just curious.

The New Yorker

Then, though, Sutherlin bid his spades for a third time.

The New York Times

That was when the senator grimaced for a third time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Miller, 92, was denied election for a third time.

The New York Times

I'm now married for a third time to Lindsay.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For a third time, he was sentenced to death.

The New York Times

Wal-Mart is trying for a third time to bring its stores to the five boroughs.

The New Yorker

A moment later he attempts to sqaure it for a third time and wins a corner.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a third time" to clearly indicate that an event has happened twice before, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure "for a third time" is used only when the event has distinctly occurred twice prior; otherwise, use phrases like "another time" or "again".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a third time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate frequency or repetition. It specifies that an action or event is occurring again, following two prior instances. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for a third time" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates an event has occurred twice before. Ludwig's analysis reveals that its primary function is to emphasize recurrence and clarify the sequence of events, particularly in contexts such as News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it is essential to use it accurately, ensuring that the event has indeed happened twice prior. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a reliable and clear way to communicate repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the third occasion

Replaces "time" with "occasion", maintaining the sense of a repeated event.

for the third instance

Substitutes "time" with the more formal "instance".

on its third occurrence

Similar meaning, emphasizing the event happening again.

by the third repetition

Focuses on the act of repeating.

for the third consecutive time

Emphasizes the continuous and uninterrupted nature of the repetitions.

after two previous times

More descriptive, explicitly mentioning the two prior events.

a third iteration

More technical and suitable for processes or systems.

a third go-around

Informal and implies another attempt or cycle.

a threefold repetition

More emphatic about the act of repeating three times.

having recurred thrice

Formal and uses "thrice" to indicate three occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "for a third time" in a sentence?

Use "for a third time" to indicate that something is happening again after it has already occurred twice. For example, "He tried to start the car "for a third time", but it still wouldn't turn over."

What are some alternatives to saying "for a third time"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "on the third occasion", "a third go-around", or "a third iteration" as alternatives to "for a third time".

Is it correct to say "for the third time" instead of "for a third time"?

Both "for a third time" and "for the third time" are grammatically correct, but "for a third time" is generally preferred when emphasizing that it's happening again after two previous instances. "For the third time" might be used when it is one in a specific series of events.

What's the difference between "for a second time" and "for a third time"?

"For a second time" indicates an event is happening again after happening once, whereas "for a third time" means it's happening after two previous occurrences. The difference is simply the number of prior occurrences.