not up to a third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not up to a third" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not meet a certain threshold or standard, specifically referring to a fraction or proportion. Example: "The project's progress is not up to a third of what we expected at this point in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For example in another large Australian oncology centre, Boxer et al. noted that scanning of histology and medical imaging reports did not occur in up to a third of cases [ 8].

BMC Health Services Research

Much of it does not stand up to a second look.

The New York Times

But they insist that any package will not add up to a second stimulus package, a prospect that would invite Republicans' attacks on the effectiveness of the first.

The New York Times

Asked why the principle of not signing up to a second period of Kyoto was so important, he only said: "It's difficult to explain".

The Guardian

Kyoto's "first commitment period" runs out at the end of 2012, and the Japanese publicly insisted at the start of the conference last week, in unusually strong language, that they would not sign up to a second commitment period "under any circumstances".

Independent

But not only have policies of cutting taxes and slashing red tape been co-opted by the president where useful, but they do not add up to a second stimulus.

The Guardian - Opinion

You also discover that films you thought were wonderful don't stand up to a second or third viewing, and I can't tell you how many contemporary films fit that bill.

The Guardian - Film

As a result, for adults anyway, the show doesn't hold up to a second viewing.

The New York Times

But remember, your husband is one hell of a guy, and all the single/alone/selfish time in the world doesn't add up to a second of laugh-till-it-hurts time with him.

Huffington Post

Size and CT attenuation criteria have been reported to predict outcome better than RECIST criteria; however, this requires intravenous contrast material, which may not be given in up to a third of patients with mRCC (Nathan et al, 2010).

British Journal of Cancer

And yet today's research, led by me as chair of Women in Journalism, is one of several to find that in fact when it comes to writing the news or appearing in it, women still can't quite make it up to a third of all contributions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not up to a third", ensure the context clearly defines what the third represents. For instance, "The project's completion is not up to a third of the total scope" clarifies the benchmark.

Common error

Avoid ambiguous usage by always specifying what the "third" refers to. Saying "Sales are not up to a third" is unclear without stating "of last year's sales" or "of the projected target".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not up to a third" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI validates its standard use, indicating that something fails to reach a specified fraction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not up to a third" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is less than one-third of a specified amount or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and business, indicating its versatility and acceptance. To ensure clarity, always specify what the "third" refers to in the context. Alternatives include ""less than a third"" and ""below a third"", offering varied options to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than a third

Uses a direct comparative to indicate a smaller quantity.

below a third

Indicates being lower in quantity or proportion.

under a third

Similar to 'below a third', specifying a quantity that is less.

not reaching a third

Emphasizes the failure to attain the specified fraction.

falls short of a third

Highlights a deficiency in achieving the one third mark.

does not constitute a third

Focuses on the inability to form the specified fraction.

a smaller fraction than a third

Explicitly compares the fraction to one third.

a minority portion

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

inadequate to reach a third

Focuses on the lack of sufficiency to reach the one third mark.

a reduced percentage

Emphasizes the low percentage amount.

FAQs

What does "not up to a third" mean?

The phrase "not up to a third" means that something is less than one third of a particular amount or standard. It indicates a quantity, proportion, or degree that does not reach the threshold of one third.

How can I use "not up to a third" in a sentence?

You can use "not up to a third" to describe quantities or proportions. For example, "The project's progress is "less than a third" of what we expected." or "The participation rate was "below a third" of the total population."

What are some alternatives to saying "not up to a third"?

Alternatives to "not up to a third" include phrases such as ""less than a third"", ""below a third"", or "under a third". The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "not up to a third"?

Yes, the phrase "not up to a third" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It is used to express that something does not reach the level of one third of a particular standard or amount.