third in line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "third in line" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the order of people or things in a sequence. For example, "The third in line at the ATM was an elderly gentleman."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The city is third in line to make its claims.

The New York Times

"Listen," he said, "he's third in line to be president.

The New York Times

We are one of four Chinook helicopters flying north this morning, third in line.

The Washington Post

The Speaker of the House is third in line for the Presidency.

The New Yorker

Do we really want someone so ethically challenged to be third in line to the presidency?

The Washington Post

Márquez, the third in line, calmly took the ball down and beat Khune.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The unofficial third-in-line is often granted the title of second deputy prime minister, a role Prince Sultan held.

The New York Times

Their child will be third-in-line to the throne.

BBC

The third-in-line to the throne celebrated his first birthday in July, and is now almost 17 months old.

BBC

I was twenty-third in line".

The New Yorker

Twenty-third in line for takeoff?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "third in line" to clearly indicate sequential order, whether it's for succession, priority, or physical arrangement. For instance, "He is third in line to the throne" or "The company is third in line for government contracts".

Common error

Avoid using "third in line" when a general term like "next" or "later" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound stilted. Choose the most natural and clear phrasing for the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third in line" functions as an ordinal phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun to indicate its position in a sequence. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to specify placement within a series.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "third in line" is a commonly used phrase to indicate a specific position in a sequence or hierarchy. As Ludwig's analysis confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently across diverse contexts, especially in news, sports, and business. When using the phrase, remember to ensure a clear sequential context exists and consider alternatives like "in third place" or "ranked third" to avoid repetition. Be mindful of the formality of the context when choosing between "third in line" and the abbreviated "3rd in line".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

third position

Simply refers to the third spot in a sequence.

in third place

Indicates position in a competition or ranking.

placed third

Highlights the act of achieving the third position.

third overall

Highlights the position in an overall ranking.

ranked third

Emphasizes the ranking aspect of being third.

third ranking

Emphasizes the ranking and position.

number three in sequence

More explicit about being part of a sequence.

following second

Highlights the order relative to the second position.

next after the second

A more descriptive way of saying "third".

third from the front

Specifies position in a physical line.

FAQs

How can I use "third in line" in a sentence?

You can use "third in line" to indicate order or succession. For example, "She is "third in line" to receive the promotion" or "He was "third in line" at the ticket counter".

What are some alternatives to saying "third in line"?

Alternatives include "in third place", "ranked third", or "number three depending on the context. The best choice depends on whether you're emphasizing ranking, order, or simply position.

Is it correct to say "3rd in line" instead of "third in line"?

While "3rd in line" is commonly used in informal writing, ""third in line"" is generally preferred in formal writing. The latter is more appropriate for professional or academic contexts.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "third in line"?

It might be inappropriate if the context doesn't truly involve a linear order or hierarchy. Using a more general term like "another option" or "a later stage" may be better if there isn't a clear sequence.