more than a third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than a third" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when talking about the fraction of an amount, for example, "More than a third of the employees were absent from work yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's more than a third.

The New York Times

More than a third are foreign-born.

The New York Times

More than a third were Jews.

The New York Times

More than a third have pleaded guilty.

The New York Times - Sports

More than a third were nursing home residents, and more than a third cognitively impaired.

The New York Times

More than a third have on-site fitness centers.

The New York Times

More than a third of the population uses the Internet.

The New Yorker

More than a third would balance the budget immediately.

The Economist

He owns more than a third of the company.

The New York Times

It cannot sustain more than a third of its children.

The New York Times

Murders have fallen by more than a third since 2000.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than a third", ensure the context clearly defines the total amount being referenced. For example, "More than a third of the budget was allocated to marketing."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying what the "third" refers to. Do not assume the reader understands the base quantity without it being explicitly stated. Lack of clarity might lead to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than a third" functions as a quantitative descriptor, indicating a proportion greater than one-third of a whole. This phrase is used to specify an amount, quantity, or proportion exceeding a certain threshold. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than a third" is a quantifying phrase used to describe a proportion exceeding one-third of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, clarity is key, so always ensure the context clearly defines the base quantity. Alternatives like "over thirty-three percent" or "a substantial portion" can be used depending on the desired level of precision and formality. Its widespread acceptance and consistent usage make it a reliable choice for expressing quantities in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over thirty-three percent

Expresses the percentage equivalent, offering a numerical alternative.

exceeding one-third

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a quantity greater than one-third.

greater than a third

Directly states that the quantity is larger than one-third.

in excess of a third

Suggests a quantity slightly more than one-third, with a formal tone.

beyond thirty percent

Generalizes the quantity as above a specific percentage, slightly altering the precision.

a substantial portion

Replaces the specific fraction with a more general term for a significant amount.

a significant fraction

Uses fraction instead of portion, slightly changing the emphasis.

a considerable segment

Emphasizes that the amount is a notable part of a whole.

a good share

Indicates a fair amount, less formal than the original phrase.

over a quarter

Reduces the quantity slightly to a more common comparison point.

FAQs

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

Use "more than a third" to indicate a quantity exceeding 33.33% of a whole. For example, "More than a third of the students passed the exam."

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

You can use phrases like "over thirty-three percent", "exceeding one-third", or "greater than a third" depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "more than a third" or "over 33 percent"?

Both phrases are generally acceptable. "More than a third" is less precise but often easier to understand. "Over 33 percent" provides a numerical value, which can be more specific, but it depends on your specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a substantial portion" instead of "more than a third"?

Use "a substantial portion" when you want to emphasize the significance of the amount without needing to be numerically precise or when the exact figure is not known or relevant. It is useful as a less specific way to signal that an amount is meaningful.