third by a wide margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "third by a wide margin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone ranks third in a competition or comparison, and the difference in ranking is significant. Example: "In the final standings, the team finished third by a wide margin, far ahead of the fourth-place competitor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yellen came in first by a wide margin.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in the teenage demographic, "Laguna Beach" placed first by a wide margin.

The New York Times

A recent survey of "sustainability experts" by GlobeScan, a consultant, ranked Unilever first by a wide margin (see chart).

The Economist

Although Fujimori came in first by a wide margin in the first election round in April, she faces stiff opposition from Peruvians who loathe her father.

The Guardian

He was ranked first by a wide margin and held the number one position on 7 out of 10 ballots.

Wikipedia

Last November, Mr. Rowland, a Republican, was re-elected to a third term by a wide margin.

The New York Times

By re-electing Gov. John G. Rowland to a third term by a wide margin, voters signaled that they were satisfied with his performance over the last eight years.

The New York Times

By contrast "Leatherheads," the third and by a wide margin the weakest movie directed by George Clooney, looks to have been nearly as hard to make as it is to watch.

The New York Times

The top two active leaders in errors are Rafael Furcal, among the best throwing shortstops to play the game, and Adrian Beltre, the game's best third baseman by a wide margin.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Dodd chose to run for re-election instead, winning his fifth term by a wide margin.

The New York Times

Though the National Republicans attempted to paint Jackson's positions as unconstitutional, his reform agenda remained popular, and he won a second term by a wide margin.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "third by a wide margin" to clearly indicate a ranking or position where the difference is noticeably large, preventing ambiguity in the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "third by a wide margin" when the actual difference is minimal; reserve it for situations where the disparity is genuinely significant to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third by a wide margin" acts as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or verb phrase. It specifies the extent to which something is in third place, indicating a notable difference in ranking or quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "third by a wide margin" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a notable difference in ranking or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms this validity. It is most common in news, academic, and wiki contexts. To ensure its correct use, it should be reserved for situations where the disparity is genuinely significant. Alternative phrases, such as "a distant third", can offer nuanced variations of the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distant third

Emphasizes the large gap between the third position and the leaders.

third by a significant amount

Replaces 'margin' with 'amount' to denote a notable difference.

substantially in third place

Uses 'substantially' to highlight the considerable difference in ranking.

considerably in third position

Similar to the above, but uses 'considerably' instead of 'substantially'.

third with a large lead over fourth

Specifically indicates the lead over the subsequent position.

a clear third

Focuses on the unambiguous nature of the third-place ranking.

third with a comfortable advantage

Highlights the ease and security of the third position.

well ahead in third place

Emphasizes being significantly in front while in third place.

third by a substantial lead

Uses 'lead' instead of 'margin' to suggest a commanding advantage.

distinctly in third position

Highlights the separation or distinction in the third ranking

FAQs

How can I use "third by a wide margin" in a sentence?

You can use "third by a wide margin" to describe a situation where someone or something is in third place, but there's a considerable gap between them and the other competitors. For example, "In the race, she finished third by a wide margin, far behind the first two runners."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "third by a wide margin"?

Alternatives to "third by a wide margin" include phrases like "a distant third", "third by a significant amount", or "substantially in third place", each emphasizing the significant difference in ranking.

Is it correct to say "third by a wide margin", or should I use a different ordinal number?

The phrase "third by a wide margin" is grammatically correct. You can replace "third" with other ordinal numbers (first, second, fourth, fifth, etc.) depending on the context, as long as it accurately reflects the ranking or position being described.

What does "by a wide margin" mean in the context of "third by a wide margin"?

In the context of "third by a wide margin", the phrase "by a wide margin" indicates that there's a substantial difference or gap between the entity in third place and those ahead of or behind them. It emphasizes that the difference is significant and easily noticeable.