nearly two thirds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly two thirds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that is close to two-thirds of a whole, often in statistical or descriptive contexts. Example: "In the survey, nearly two thirds of the participants expressed satisfaction with the service provided."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It is nearly two thirds black.

Independent

Nearly two thirds of mobile dating app users are men.

The Guardian - Tech

Nearly two thirds of local population support the rebuilding of the plant.

Energy Policy

Nearly two thirds (63.2%) were white; 26.7% were black, and 10.1% were of other racial backgrounds.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Overall, nearly two thirds of concussions occurred in football (n = 239, 64 %).

Injury Epidemiology

Using Hull criteria, the authors found nearly two thirds of patients showed a meaningful response.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Today, nearly two-thirds of them are.

The New York Times

Nearly two-thirds of young people are jobless.

The New York Times

Nearly two-thirds of Samoans are farmers or agricultural workers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Approval peaks among self-described liberals, at nearly two-thirds.

The New York Times

• Nearly two-thirds of Louisiana's prisoners are nonviolent offenders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when deciding whether to use "nearly two thirds" versus a percentage. While "nearly two thirds" is generally understandable, using "approximately 67%" might be more precise in technical or scientific contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly two thirds" without clearly defining what constitutes the 'whole'. Ambiguity can arise if the reader is unsure of the total quantity being referred to. Always specify the total number or amount to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly two thirds" functions as a quantitative descriptor, specifying a proportion or approximate amount. It's used to indicate that a quantity is close to, but not necessarily exactly, two-thirds of a whole. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly two thirds" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed way to express a proportion approaching 66.67%. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a quantitative descriptor across various contexts, including science, news media, and formal business communications. While more precise numerical percentages may be preferred in technical settings, "nearly two thirds" provides a convenient and understandable approximation for general audiences. When using this phrase, ensure that the total quantity being referenced is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "almost two thirds" or "approximately two thirds" offer similar meanings. Therefore, considering the explanations provided by Ludwig and its usage examples, this phrase can be used correctly in a wide range of scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost two thirds

Replaces "nearly" with "almost", offering a slight variation in emphasis but maintaining the same approximate quantity.

approximately two thirds

Substitutes "nearly" with "approximately", indicating an estimated quantity close to two thirds.

around two thirds

Uses "around" in place of "nearly", suggesting a rounded estimate of the proportion.

just under two thirds

Highlights that the proportion is slightly less than two thirds.

in the vicinity of two thirds

Offers a more formal and precise way of indicating a proportion close to two thirds.

a good two thirds

Emphasizes the substantial size of the proportion, close to two thirds.

close to 67 percent

Expresses the proportion as a percentage, providing a numerical alternative.

more than half but less than three quarters

Defines the proportion by specifying the range within which it falls, avoiding the use of fractions.

a substantial portion

Replaces the numerical proportion with a general term indicating a significant quantity.

sixty-some percent

Replaces the numerical proportion with a general term indicating a significant quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly two thirds" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly two thirds" to describe a proportion that is slightly less than or close to 66.67%. For example, "Nearly two thirds of the students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to saying "nearly two thirds"?

Alternatives include "almost two thirds", "approximately two thirds", or "around two thirds". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of precision.

Is it more appropriate to use "nearly two thirds" or a specific percentage?

Using a specific percentage (e.g., 65%) offers more precision. However, "nearly two thirds" can be suitable for general descriptions where exactness isn't crucial. Consider your audience and the purpose of your writing.

What's the difference between "nearly two thirds" and "more than two thirds"?

"Nearly two thirds" indicates a quantity close to, but typically less than, 66.67%. "More than two thirds" indicates a quantity greater than 66.67%. The distinction lies in whether the proportion exceeds the two-thirds mark.