in the third paragraph

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the third paragraph" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when referencing a specific section or part within a larger written piece, such as an article, essay, or story. Here is an example of how it could be used in a sentence: "In the third paragraph of her essay, Sarah discusses the impact of social media on young adults."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What are the questions underlying the statements in the third paragraph?

The New York Times

An earlier version referred to "nitrogen gas" in the third paragraph, where "nitrous oxide" was meant.

The Guardian

It originally said in the third paragraph that Lucy Meadows' coroner had blamed the media for "hounding her to death".

The Guardian - Opinion

The article has been amended accordingly in the third paragraph and elsewhere to make that distinction clearer.

The Guardian - Opinion

It originally said "Glasgow had been galvanised by its year as UK city of culture" in the third paragraph.

The Guardian - Opinion

This article was amended on 13 October 2014 as the dish mentioned in the third paragraph is, of course, pici cacio e pepe, not pici cacao e pepe.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This article was amended on 17 July 2014 to indicate in the third paragraph that the author spoke to Ahsan's brother.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the third paragraph of his article for the next day's paper, he wrote, "President Bush had nothing to say about the report".

The New York Times

This article was amended on 21 July 2016 to correct the misnaming of dementors as death eaters in the third paragraph.

The Guardian

In the third paragraph of the article, he also quoted an anonymous law enforcement official as saying that "it looked like Muhammed was ready to share everything".

The New York Times

In the third paragraph of subsection 2, it discussed entering "into a sale or long-term lease of certain listed properties," which were identified several thousand words later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referencing a specific paragraph, ensure clarity by using keywords or phrases from that paragraph to orient the reader quickly.

Common error

Avoid using vague references. Always double-check the paragraph number before finalizing your document, especially after edits that might shift paragraph positions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the third paragraph" primarily functions as an adjunct, specifically a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial of location. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying where information or a statement can be found within a text. Ludwig indicates that this is a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the third paragraph" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a specific section of a written document. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as an adverbial adjunct, providing precise direction to the reader. Its frequency is high, particularly in scientific and news media contexts. While generally neutral in register, its effectiveness relies on accurate paragraph numbering and clear contextual relevance. For greater specificity, consider supplementing with keywords or phrases from the referenced paragraph. Alternatives like "in paragraph three" or "within the third paragraph" offer slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in paragraph three

Changes the numerical representation from ordinal to cardinal.

within the third paragraph

Replaces 'in' with 'within', emphasizing location inside the paragraph.

in the aforementioned paragraph

Uses 'aforementioned' to refer to a previously mentioned paragraph.

in the paragraph numbered three

Specifies the paragraph using a more formal and verbose construction.

refer to the third paragraph

Shifts the focus to directing attention to the paragraph.

see paragraph three

Offers a more concise way to direct the reader to the paragraph.

as stated in paragraph three

Highlights that the paragraph contains a specific statement.

according to the third paragraph

Indicates that the information comes from the third paragraph.

the third paragraph mentions

Focuses on the content of the paragraph itself.

the third paragraph discusses

Highlights that the paragraph explores a specific topic.

FAQs

How do I cite information found "in the third paragraph" of a source?

When citing information, make sure to provide enough context for your readers to easily locate the relevant information. You might include a brief summary of the paragraph's topic or a key phrase from it.

What's the difference between saying "in the third paragraph" and "in paragraph three"?

While both are correct, "in the third paragraph" uses an ordinal number and is generally preferred in formal writing. "In paragraph three" uses a cardinal number and is more conversational. Consider the tone of your writing when choosing which to use.

Are there alternatives to "in the third paragraph" that provide more context?

Yes, you could use phrases like "as mentioned "above"" if the paragraph was previously referenced, or "according to the section discussing X" if the paragraph has a clear topic.

Is it ever incorrect to refer to something as being "in the third paragraph"?

It's not grammatically incorrect, but it can be unhelpful if the paragraph is very long and covers multiple topics. In such cases, being more specific about which part of the paragraph you're referencing is better.