for the third time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the third time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is happening again, usually for the third time. For example: "I asked him to leave for the third time, but he wouldn't budge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

You're converting for the third time?

The New Yorker

-- for the third time.

The New York Times - Sports

For the third time tonight!

The Guardian - Sport

For the third time?'" Matier told Urquhart.

The Guardian

For the third time in a decade.

The Guardian

For the third time in eight days.

The Guardian - Sport

Garrincha married for the third time.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

For the second time.

The New York Times

"Not for the first time".

The New Yorker

For the first time, the W.H.O.

The New Yorker

for the first time since the early 1990s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the third time" to clearly indicate a recurring event, ensuring your audience understands the sequence. It's a straightforward way to emphasize repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "for the third time" when you mean 'the third time ever'. The former indicates a repetition within a defined context, while the latter describes an overall count.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the third time" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate frequency or repetition. Ludwig examples show it adding context to various actions across a wide variety of sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Sport

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for the third time" is a grammatically sound and very common adverbial phrase used to denote that an event has occurred three times. According to Ludwig, it serves to emphasize recurrence or repetition, with a neutral level of formality. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it clearly communicates the sequence of an action. Remember to use it when you need to clearly indicate a recurring event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the third occasion

Highlights formality; suitable for official settings.

a third instance

Focuses on the occurrence as a countable event, less conversational.

for a third go

Emphasizes an attempt or try, more informal.

on its third iteration

Highlights a process or cycle being repeated, more formal.

a repeat performance

Suitable when the event is a show or something similar.

this being the third repetition

Emphasizes the act of repeating, quite formal.

for the tertiary time

Uses less common vocabulary and adds formality.

yet again

Implies mild annoyance or exasperation at the repetition.

once more

Focuses on the fact that something is repeated.

as the third time happens

More literal and descriptive, can sound awkward.

FAQs

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

Use "for the third time" to indicate that an event has occurred three times within a specific context. For example, "I had to ask for the third time before he finally listened."

What phrases are similar to "for the third time"?

Similar phrases include "on the third occasion", "a third time", or "for a third go", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is there a more formal way to say "for the third time"?

Yes, you could use phrases such as "on the third occasion" or "this is the third instance" in more formal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "for the third time" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something has happened repeatedly. Use it to highlight a pattern or to express frustration, surprise, or other emotions related to the repetition.