third most important

USAGE SUMMARY

"third most important" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is the third most important item on a list of similar items. For example, "The third most important factor in achieving success is establishing a strong support network."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the third most important engineered nanoparticles (ENP) listed in consumer product inventories [ 1].

BioMed Research International

Zhang is China's third most important political figure.

The Guardian

Ms. Preston considers money to be an angel's third most important contribution after expertise and networking.

The New York Times

Tannins are the third most important feature of a wine's flavour after sweetness and acidity.

The Guardian

Just after World War II, motorcycles were Britain's third most important export, after cars and Scotch.

The New York Times

They were then asked to name their second and third most important nonhome source.

The New York Times

Monazite, a phosphate, is the third most important ore source of rare earths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It will make us the third most important art fair in the world".

The New York Times - Arts

Polling found that "poverty and inequality" together were listed as the third most important issue for black millennials.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Now we're three, and I'm the third-most important one".

The New York Times - Sports

Plan costs was my third-most important thing, at 2 points.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before stating the "third most important" aspect, briefly mention the first and second most important ones to provide a clear hierarchy.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "third most important" item is significantly less critical than the first or second. While it ranks third, it still holds considerable value and should be treated accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third most important" functions as a pre-modifier, specifically an ordinal adjective phrase, qualifying a noun. It indicates the relative significance or ranking of the modified noun within a set of items or factors. Ludwig AI confirms that this is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "third most important" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for indicating the relative significance of something. As indicated by Ludwig, its versatility allows its use across multiple domains, including science, news, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, be mindful of clearly defining the criteria for importance and contextualizing the ranking within a broader framework to avoid misinterpretations. Remember, while it ranks third, it is still quite important, so always remember to give it proper emphasis within your communication. While many alternatives exist, the core purpose remains prioritizing and emphasizing the relative significance of the identified element.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

third highest priority

Replaces "important" with "priority", focusing on ranking by precedence.

third greatest significance

Substitutes "important" with "significance", emphasizing the magnitude of impact.

third leading factor

Replaces "important" with "leading factor", highlighting influence or contribution.

third crucial aspect

Uses "crucial aspect" instead of "important", stressing the critical nature.

third paramount consideration

Emphasizes the supreme or dominant nature by using "paramount consideration".

third ranking element

Replaces "important" with "ranking element", focusing on the position in a hierarchy.

third notable attribute

Substitutes "important" with "notable attribute", highlighting a remarkable characteristic.

third valued feature

Replaces "important" with "valued feature", focusing on perceived worth.

third essential component

Highlights that the thing is indispensable and necessary with "essential component".

third strategic imperative

Replaces the term "important" with a business expression, implying a high-level business goal.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "third most important" in a sentence?

To effectively use "third most important", clearly establish the context and criteria for importance. For example, "Considering cost, efficiency, and reliability, safety is the "third most important" factor when choosing a vehicle".

What are some alternatives to saying "third most important"?

You can use alternatives like "third highest priority", "third greatest significance", or "third leading factor" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "third most important"?

The phrase "third most important" is suitable in various contexts, including academic discussions, business reports, and general explanations, where ranking and prioritization are necessary. Ensure that the ranking criteria is clear to your audience.

What is the difference between "second most important" and "third most important"?

The "second most important" indicates the item with the second-highest priority or significance, while "third most important" refers to the item ranked third. While both are important, the former carries more weight than the latter.