on this third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on this third" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a specific date or event occurring on the third day of a month, but it requires additional context to be usable. Example: "We will meet on this third of March to discuss the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I want to focus on this third one.

Cornell University

On this Third Sunday of Lent, we are in the midst of one of my favorite narratives in all of scripture coming from John 2 13-22.

Huffington Post

The King insists on this third and final act of alchemy.

The New Yorker

On this third count the current incumbent, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, has been most feeble.

The Economist

On this third wall with the Madonna the architectural treatment was never executed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Occasionally a father comes, but on this third Tuesday it was all mothers.

The New York Times

On this third anniversary though, slow and steady seems to have given way to even slower and increasingly uncertain.

Columbia University

Marina and the Diamonds: Froot Tight electropop steeped in introspection from the Welsh singer-songwriter, on this third album.

The Guardian - Music

But on this third consecutive day of fine, sunny weather, the conditions proved faster than he anticipated.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Twelve months on, this third-round encounter was immediately a very different story.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet Murray's root appeal is not based on this third-act incarnation.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, specify what you are referring to by adding context. For example, instead of just saying "on this third", say "on this third day" or "on this third attempt."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "on this third" without providing context. This phrase is often vague and can leave the reader wondering what "third" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on this third" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to indicate a specific point in a sequence or series. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity without additional context. It needs a noun to specify what is meant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "on this third" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable due to its lack of clarity. The analysis reveals that it's often used in news, scientific, and academic contexts. To enhance clarity, it's recommended to add a noun following the phrase, such as "day", "attempt", or "occasion". Alternatives like "on the third" or "for the third time" can also provide more precise expression. Therefore, while common, it is important to be mindful of its potential ambiguity and strive for greater precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the third

Omits "this", making the phrase more general.

on this third occasion

Adds specificity by explicitly mentioning an occasion or instance.

on the third instance

Uses "instance" instead of "occasion", providing a slightly more formal tone.

during the third

Replaces "on" with "during", shifting the focus to a period of time.

in the third case

Focuses on a specific case within a series.

for the third time

Emphasizes the repetition of an event.

at the third attempt

Highlights the act of trying multiple times.

on its third iteration

Emphasizes the phase of a product or process.

on the third day

Focuses on the calendar time/date.

on the third level

Highlights a hierarchical structure.

FAQs

How can I make the phrase "on this third" clearer?

To improve clarity, add context by specifying what "third" refers to. For example, use "on this third day", "on this third attempt", or "on this third occasion".

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "on this third"?

Consider using alternatives like "on the third", "for the third time", or specify the noun, e.g. "on this third day".

Is "on this third" ever correct?

While frequently used, "on this third" is often vague. Adding a noun after it (such as "day", "try", or "time") clarifies the meaning and makes it grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "on this third" and "on the third"?

"On this third" implies a specific third instance that is already understood in the context, while "on the third" is more general and requires further context to understand which third instance is being referred to.