third largest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "third largest" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the ranking or position of something in relation to other similar things. Example: "New York City is the third largest city in the United States, after Los Angeles and Chicago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

BNP the third largest party.

The Guardian

It is the world's third largest economy.

Harvard University

It is the country's third largest city.

Encyclopedia Britannica

China National is the third largest.

The New York Times

Three, Britain has the third largest landings".

The Guardian

Venezuela is the third largest oil exporter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The big loser: Lennar, the third-largest U.S. homebuilder.

Forbes

Germany has the third-largest contingent.

The New York Times

Sprint is the third-largest.

The New York Times

Forest products constitute Montana's third-largest industry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We are the world's third-largest democracy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "third largest", ensure you have a clear and defined scope of comparison. Specify what is being ranked and within what group. For example, "the third largest city in the country".

Common error

Avoid using "third largest" without specifying what is being compared. Saying "it's the third largest" is vague. Always provide context: "It's the third largest building in the city."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third largest" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, to describe the size ranking of a noun. It indicates that something is the third biggest in a given category. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "third largest" is a grammatically sound and widely used adjectival phrase to indicate the size ranking of something within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequency across various contexts. It's crucial to provide clear context when using this phrase to specify what is being compared. Alternatives like "third biggest" or "number three in size" can be used for variety. The phrase appears most frequently in news, scientific and academic sources, showcasing its versatile application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

third biggest

Replaces "largest" with a synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

third greatest

Substitutes "largest" with another synonym, focusing on magnitude.

number three in size

Rephrases the concept using a more explicit description of ranking by size.

ranked third in size

Similar to the previous, but emphasizes the act of ranking.

third most significant

Shifts the focus from size to overall importance or significance.

third most prominent

Highlights visibility or standing rather than pure size.

third highest

Focuses on a quantifiable metric, implying a ranked order.

third most extensive

Emphasizes the range or reach of something.

among the top three largest

Indicates inclusion within an elite group of the largest entities.

one of the three largest

Similar to the previous, suggesting membership in a top tier.

FAQs

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

Use "third largest" to describe something's ranking relative to others in size or quantity. For example, "Canada is the "third largest wheat exporter"".

What are some alternatives to "third largest"?

You can use phrases like "third biggest", "number three in size", or "ranked third in size" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the iii largest" instead of "third largest"?

No, "iii largest" is not standard English. The correct ordinal form is "third largest".

What's the difference between "third largest" and "third highest"?

"Third largest" refers specifically to size, while "third highest" can refer to any ranked metric, such as altitude or score. Choose the term that accurately reflects the measured attribute.