ranking third

USAGE SUMMARY

"ranking third" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a position or ranking that is third in order, or that is behind two higher-ranked people or things. For example, "The school's basketball team is currently ranking third in the state."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mitchell finished the season with 5 goals and 5 assists over 57 games, ranking third in average ice time per contest with the Kings.

Wikipedia

Regarding relative rankings on the domains among out-patients rankings were similar in South Africa and Brazil, with quality of basic amenities ranking third, after dignity and confidence.

BMC Health Services Research

During the playoffs, Los Angeles has averaged 3.08 goals, ranking third.

The New York Times - Sports

TaJoe is a bright seventh grader, ranking third in her class of 18.

The New York Times

The Blue Devils won their 80th N.C.A.A. tournament game, ranking third among all colleges.

The New York Times - Sports

The Assembly has 37, ranking third for number of committees in the nation's lower houses.

The New York Times

The Bruins are also a good defensive team, ranking third in goals-against during the regular season.

The New York Times

Both offenses put up more than 13 goals a game, with Colgate ranking second in goals per game and UMass ranking third.

The New York Times

Mexico and Malaysia both saw IPO issuance rise several-fold over 2011, with their largest flotations ranking third and fourth place globally.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the state is one of the most expensive in the U.S., ranking third-worst in this factor for having one of the highest costs of living and highest home listing price.

Huffington Post

Moreover, since 2001 USA fell on the relevant list, ranking third in the number of articles produced, coming after Latin America and the Caribbean which ranked second.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ranking third", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for the ranking. Specify what is being ranked and among whom or what.

Common error

Avoid using "ranking third" without establishing a clear basis for comparison. Ensure your audience understands the criteria used to determine the rankings to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ranking third" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as a participial adjective modifying a noun. It indicates the position or status of something within a defined order or list, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ranking third" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating a third-place position or status. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news, wiki, and scientific sources, demonstrating its versatility across different registers. The phrase's function is primarily descriptive, serving to inform about relative standing. Common errors involve using the phrase without clarifying the criteria for ranking. Overall, "ranking third" is a valuable and informative tool for conveying hierarchical information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

placed third

Focuses more directly on the act of achieving a specific rank.

finishing third

Specifically refers to the final position achieved after a competition.

third-ranked

Adjectival form, directly describing something as holding the third position.

coming in third

Emphasizes the action of arriving at the third position, often in a race or competition.

occupying third place

More formal, emphasizing the holding of a specific position.

in third position

Highlights the location or spot in a sequence or ranking.

holding third position

Emphasizes the act of maintaining the third position.

number three

Simplifies the ranking to a numerical identifier.

at number three

Indicates a position on a numbered list or scale.

third in line

Refers to being third in a sequence, especially where there's a queue.

FAQs

How do I use "ranking third" in a sentence?

Use "ranking third" to indicate that something or someone is in the third position within a list or competition. For example, "The team is "ranking third" in the league".

What can I say instead of "ranking third"?

You can use alternatives like "placed third", "coming in third", or "third-ranked" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ranks third" instead of "ranking third"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different uses. "Ranks third" is typically used to state a current or general ranking (e.g., "The city ranks third in safety"), while "ranking third" often describes an ongoing or dynamic situation (e.g., "The team is currently "ranking third" in the league").

What does it mean when something is described as "ranking third"?

It means that out of a specific list, group, or competition, the item or person being described has achieved the third position, meaning there are two items or people who are higher in the ranking.