third most common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "third most common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when ranking items or categories based on their frequency or prevalence, indicating that something is the third in order of occurrence. Example: "In the survey, blue was found to be the third most common favorite color among participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Family strains were the third most common cause, at 11%.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition among older Americans, after hypertension and arthritis.

The New York Times - Health

Public order offences and criminal damage were the second and third most common incidents respectively.

The Guardian

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer.

Phytomedicine

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common neoplasm worldwide.

International Journal of Surgery

Stroke is the third most common condition treated at BPH.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide.

Protein & Cell

In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality.

Surgical Clinics of North America

Proximal humerus fractures are the third most common fracture in the elderly.

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Cervical cancer is the third most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Epilepsy is the third most common cause of neurological disability worldwide.

Epilepsy & Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "third most common", ensure that the context clearly establishes the basis for comparison (e.g., "third most common cause of death", "third most common type of cancer").

Common error

Avoid using "third most common" without specifying what is being ranked. Saying simply "it is the third most common" leaves the statement incomplete and ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third most common" functions as a modifier within a noun phrase. It specifies the rank of a particular item based on its frequency or prevalence relative to other items in a defined set. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "third most common" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to rank items by frequency or prevalence. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in science and news contexts, emphasizing its role in providing statistical context. The related phrases offer subtle variations in meaning, while the writing guidance highlights the importance of providing clear context to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

third most frequent

Replaces "common" with "frequent", emphasizing the occurrence rate.

third most prevalent

Substitutes "common" with "prevalent", highlighting widespread existence.

third most widespread

Uses "widespread" instead of "common", focusing on the extent of distribution.

third highest in frequency

Rephrases to specify "frequency" directly, adding clarity.

third greatest incidence

Employs "incidence" instead of "common", suitable for formal or scientific contexts.

number three most common

Inverts the structure for a slightly different emphasis.

third most typical

Replaces "common" with "typical", suggesting usual occurrence.

third most recurrent

Substitutes "common" with "recurrent", emphasizing repeated occurrence.

third in order of frequency

Provides a more explicit and formal phrasing.

third most often

Uses "often" to replace "common", focusing on how many times something happens.

FAQs

How do I use "third most common" in a sentence?

Use "third most common" to describe something that ranks third in frequency or prevalence within a specific category. For example, "Colorectal cancer is the "third most common" cancer worldwide."

What is a good alternative to "third most common"?

Alternatives include "third most frequent", "third most prevalent", or "third most widespread", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "third most common"?

The phrase "third most common" is grammatically sound. However, it is important to ensure that the claim being made is factually accurate and supported by evidence. Avoid using it without proper context or when the ranking is subjective.

What does "third most common" imply about the other two?

When something is described as the "third most common", it implies that there are two other items or categories that occur more frequently or are more prevalent. The specific entities that occupy the first and second positions would need to be identified separately.