the third most frequent

USAGE SUMMARY

"the third most frequent" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate the item that is ranked third in terms of frequency or occurrence within a group. Examples: 1. "The third most frequent cause of car accidents is distracted driving." 2. "In our survey, strawberries were found to be the third most frequent fruit that people consume on a daily basis." 3. "According to recent statistics, the third most frequent crime reported in this city is theft."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spending on housing is the third most frequent item mentioned in the list.

Comparative Migration Studies

The third most frequent circumstantial meaning in Kennedy et al. is Manner: means, with eight instances.

Functional Linguistics

Indeed, it is now the third most frequent type of headache [10, 19].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

As the third most frequent, processes account for 17% of circumstantial meaning.

Functional Linguistics

Manner: quality is the third most frequent meaning in Bowen, and the second in the other three texts.

Functional Linguistics

The third most frequent circumstantial meaning in Bowen is Manner: quality, with ten instances, of which eight are processes.

Functional Linguistics

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide, accounting for almost 800 000 deaths annually.

Pathobiology of Human Disease A Dynamic Encyclopedia of Disease Mechanisms

5. Metastases are the most common type of malignant tumor involving bone; the skeleton is the third most frequent site for metastatic carcinoma after the lung and liver.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Location: time is the most frequent in Bowen, the third most frequent in Patrick and Brooks, and the fourth most frequent in Kennedy.

Functional Linguistics

MOH is now the third most frequent type of headache and affects a percentage of 1 1.4% of the general population.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Proximal humerus fractures are the third most frequent type of osteoporotic fractures [8], and surgical success depends on correct tuberosity positioning and healing [9].

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the third most frequent", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being measured for frequency. Be specific about the category or group being analyzed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the third most frequent" without clearly defining the scope. For example, instead of saying "X is the third most frequent", specify "X is the third most frequent cause of Y" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the third most frequent" functions as a determiner phrase identifying an item's ranking in terms of frequency. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in categorizing causes, symptoms, and types based on their prevalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

14%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the third most frequent" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase widely used to denote something that ranks third in terms of frequency. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts, as highlighted by numerous examples. While variations like "the third most common" exist, it’s important to maintain clarity about what is being measured. By providing context and avoiding ambiguity, writers can effectively use this phrase to convey statistical or ranking information accurately. The phrase's widespread acceptance and varied applications solidify its place in both formal and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the third most common

Replaces 'frequent' with 'common', a direct synonym, maintaining the original meaning.

the third most typical

Substitutes 'frequent' with 'typical', suggesting a pattern of usual occurrence.

the third highest in frequency

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the frequency as a ranking.

the third most recurring

Uses 'recurring' in place of 'frequent', highlighting the repetitive nature of the occurrence.

the third most prevalent

Replaces 'frequent' with 'prevalent', indicating widespread existence.

the third most often

Changes the construction to use 'often', focusing on how many times something happens.

the third ranking in frequency

Focuses on the position in a ranked list based on frequency.

the third greatest frequency

Emphasizes 'frequency' as a quantity, ranking its magnitude.

number three in frequency

Simplifies the phrase to a numerical ranking.

third in order of frequency

Changes the structure to highlight the ordinal position based on frequency.

FAQs

How can I use "the third most frequent" in a sentence?

Use "the third most frequent" to indicate something that ranks third in terms of how often it occurs. For example, "Distracted driving is "the third most frequent" cause of car accidents".

What are some alternatives to "the third most frequent"?

You can use alternatives like "the third most common", "the third most typical", or "the third most prevalent" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the third most frequent"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted to say "the third most frequent". It's used to specify the item that ranks third based on frequency of occurrence, as Ludwig AI confirms.

What's the difference between "the third most frequent" and "the third most common"?

While both are very similar, "the third most frequent" emphasizes the number of occurrences, while "the third most common" suggests that something is typical or usual. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.