less than a third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than a third" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when comparing fractions or parts of a whole. Here is an example: "Less than a third of the population voted in the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less than a third responded.

The New York Times

Less than a third were swimmable.

The New York Times

That is less than a third of its normal volume.

The Economist

That is less than a third of January's loss.

The New York Times

By 2014, it was less than a third.

The New Yorker

Less than a third of the crew members survived.

The New Yorker

Less than a third belong to any organisation whatsoever.

The Economist

Less than a third of the population can read.

The New Yorker

Less than a third of those receive treatment.

The Economist

Less than a third had access to health care.

Independent

In 1950, less than a third of humanity was urban.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than a third", ensure you are clear about what the 'whole' is that you are taking a third of. For example, "Less than a third of the students passed the exam."

Common error

Avoid using "less than a third" interchangeably with percentages that are significantly different. While it's close to 33%, it's not precise, and using it when the actual figure is much lower (e.g. 10%) can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than a third" functions as a quantifier, indicating a proportion or amount that is smaller than one-third of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showcasing its prevalence across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than a third" is a grammatically sound and frequently used quantifier, as validated by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys a proportion smaller than one-third across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives like "below a third" or "under a third" exist, the original phrase remains a clear and versatile choice. When using "less than a third", clarify the 'whole' being referenced to avoid ambiguity, and be mindful of potential discrepancies between fractional approximations and precise percentages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below a third

This alternative emphasizes a position or value that is lower than the threshold of one-third.

under a third

This alternative highlights that the quantity is not reaching the one-third mark.

not up to a third

This phrase indicates that the quantity falls short of reaching one-third.

a smaller fraction than one-third

This option explicitly states that the quantity is a fraction, and it is smaller than one-third.

lower than 33 percent

Expresses the same proportion using a percentage, indicating the value is below 33%.

not a third

A more concise way to express that the quantity does not reach the level of one-third.

fewer than one in three

This alternative uses a ratio format to convey the same meaning.

a minority exceeding a quarter

This phrase focuses on describing a minority proportion that is greater than a quarter, but still less than a third.

in a small minority

This emphasizes the small size of the group or quantity, implying it is less than a third.

a fraction under 0.33

This phrase uses a decimal representation to show that the fraction is slightly less than 0.33.

FAQs

How can I use "less than a third" in a sentence?

You can use "less than a third" to describe a quantity or proportion that is smaller than one-third of a whole. For example, "Less than a third of the applicants were selected for the interview."

What are some alternatives to saying "less than a third"?

You can use alternatives like "below a third", "under a third", or "not up to a third" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "lower than a third" instead of "less than a third"?

While "lower than a third" is understandable, "less than a third" is the more common and generally preferred phrasing when referring to proportions or quantities.

What's the difference between "less than a third" and "fewer than a third"?

"Less than a third" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., less than a third of the water) while "fewer than a third" is used for countable nouns (e.g., fewer than a third of the students).