rank second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rank second" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone or something comes in second place or is perceived to be second in importance or status compared with something else. For example: "After months of hard work, our team ranked second in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Yankees, naturally, rank second.

The New York Times - Sports

Baseball and outdoor soccer rank second and third.

The New York Times

Carter's 121 touchdown catches rank second to Rice.

The New York Times - Sports

Its gas reserves rank second only to those of Venezuela.

The Economist

His 55 victories, against 28 losses and 15 draws, rank second all time behind Arena's 71.

The Guardian - Sport

With $20 billion in equity, the combined company will also rank second in that category.

The New York Times

His 1,656 all-purpose yards rank second on the Saints' single-season list.

The New York Times - Sports

His 824 total yards rank second nationally and his 64 completions rank third.

The New York Times - Sports

Conspicuous by their playoff absence are the Los Angeles Dodgers, who rank second at $105 million.

The New York Times - Sports

Micron, Hynix and Infineon rank second, third and fourth respectively in market share after Samsung.

The New York Times

Among famous groups of extinct organisms, trilobites probably rank second only to the dinosaurs in fame.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rank second", ensure the context clearly establishes the ranking criteria. For example, "The company ranks second in market share."

Common error

Avoid using "rank second" without specifying what the ranking is based on. For instance, instead of saying "They rank second", specify "They rank second in customer satisfaction" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rank second" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating the position or status of something in relation to others, typically within a ranked order. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's used to denote that something holds the second position in a hierarchy or competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rank second" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something holds the second position in a ranking or order. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for use across various contexts, most prominently in News & Media and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the ranking criteria to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""place second"" or ""come in second"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its widespread application in conveying information about relative positions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place second

Uses "place" instead of "rank", focusing on the act of achieving a specific position.

come in second

An idiomatic way of saying "rank second", implying the result of a competition or ranking process.

second in line

Indicates a sequential order, often used for succession or priority.

second best

Implies a comparison to the top position, highlighting that it's not the ultimate but still high-ranking.

runner-up

Commonly used in competitive contexts, specifically indicating the one who finished immediately after the winner.

number two

A direct, numerical designation of the second position.

in second place

Emphasizes the achievement of a specific position in a competition.

emerge second

Highlights the process of arriving at the second position, suggesting a journey or competition.

next to top

Describes the position relative to the highest rank.

follow the leader

Focuses on the sequential aspect of the position. Not an exact match but describes relative positioning.

FAQs

How can I use "rank second" in a sentence?

Use "rank second" to indicate that something or someone is in the second position in a list or ranking. For example, "Our team "place second" in the competition this year".

What are some alternatives to saying "rank second"?

Alternatives include "come in second", "place second", or "second best", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "rank second to last"?

Yes, "rank second to last" is correct and means being the second from the bottom in a ranking. It is used to describe a position near the end of a list or sequence.

What's the difference between "rank second" and ""second best""?

"Rank second" is a literal descriptor of position, while ""second best"" often implies a qualitative assessment, suggesting something is very good but not the absolute best. They can often be used interchangeably but not always.