third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "third" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the ordinal position of something in a sequence, typically when referring to the number three in a list or ranking. Example: "She finished in third place in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The third group had the condoms, the advice and the counselling, but the gel was a placebo, containing no active ingredient.In this section Davy Jones's lock-up Girls on top Dashed hopes An early Christmas present?

The Economist

Jeff Carter scored in the opening minute of the second and third periods for the Kings, who became the first road team to win in the series.

The New York Times - Sports

Because Republicans are trying, for the third time since he took office, to use economic blackmail to achieve a goal they lack the votes to achieve through the normal legislative process.

The New York Times

About Guardian News & Media Guardian News & Media (GNM) publishes theguardian.com, the third largest English-speaking newspaper website in the world (comScore, April 2014).

The Guardian

Quote lyrics if helpful, but for copyright reasons no more than a third of a song's words.

The Guardian - Music

-ends- Notes to editors: About Guardian News & Media Guardian News & Media (GNM) publishes theguardian.com, the third largest English-speaking newspaper website in the world (comScore, January 2013).

The Guardian

It will then move to report stage and will then receive a third reading before moving to the House of Lords.

The Guardian

The new European operation will have only a third of the resources of the Italian operation that is being phased out.

The Guardian

These costs aren't trivial: a 2001 study showed that the cost of switching a loan came to about a third of the loan's annual interest rate.

The Economist

The payroll tax now provides a third of federal revenues.

The Economist

Dressed in a black lace Armani Prive gown which had fashion writers salivating, Blanchett admitted to having "downed a few vodkas" while waiting to hear if she had won her third Golden Globe.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, especially in academic or business contexts, consider using "tertiary" instead of "third" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "third" when you specifically need to express a fraction. Use "one-third" or "a third" instead to denote the fractional quantity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "third" is to indicate ordinal position or to denote one part of three equal parts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. The examples show its use in various contexts, from sports results to fractions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "third" is a versatile term primarily used to denote ordinal position or to represent one of three equal parts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts. From sports to fractions, "third" efficiently specifies position or quantity. While "third" generally maintains a neutral tone suitable for various types of communication, consider "tertiary" for a more formal approach. Remember to use "one-third" or "a third" to accurately represent the fractional meaning. The provided examples underscore its ubiquitous presence in various publications, particularly in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

3rd

A common abbreviation for "third", suitable for informal contexts or where brevity is needed.

one third

Refers specifically to the fraction 1/3, emphasizing the quantity aspect rather than the ordinal position.

thirdly

Used to introduce the third point in a list, emphasizing the sequence.

in third place

Specifies the outcome of a competition or ranking, emphasizing the achievement of that position.

in the third position

A more formal way of saying "in third place", emphasizing the specific rank.

the third part

Emphasizes the division of a whole into three sections, focusing on one specific section.

third in line

Specifies position in a queue or ordered arrangement.

tertiary

A more formal or technical term for "third", often used in academic or scientific contexts.

the third instance

Highlights a specific occurrence in a series of events.

number three

A more explicit way to refer to the ordinal position, useful for clarity.

FAQs

How is "third" used as a noun?

As a noun, "third" refers to the person or thing in the third position, or one of three equal parts of a whole. For example, "Jones came in third", or "He ate a "third of the pie"".

What does "third" mean when referring to music?

In music, a "third" is an interval consisting of the first and third notes in a scale. For instance, "They sing in "thirds"".

What's the abbreviation for "third"?

The common abbreviation for "third" is "3rd". You can also use the Roman numeral "III" in certain contexts.

How does the adjective "third" modify a noun?

As an adjective, "third" describes something that comes after the second. An example is "The "third tree from the left" is my favorite."