third of all

USAGE SUMMARY

"third of all" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate a proportion of the total of a group, such as "a third of all the students in my class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Only a third of all abuse was anonymous.

The Guardian - Tech

Nearly a third of all children have lost a parent.

The New York Times

Today women earn a third of all science doctorates.

The Guardian

This represents nearly a third of all case studies submitted.

The Guardian

A third of all new relationships start online.

The Guardian - Opinion

A third of all rural children suffer chronic malnutrition.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Currently one-third of all our waste is recycled.

The Guardian

Today, Mexicans account for one-third of all immigrants.

The New York Times

One-third of all children here live in poverty.

The New York Times

One-third of all units will be subsidized housing.

The New York Times

That was around one-third of all spending.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "third of all", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'all' refers to, maintaining clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For example, instead of 'a third of all are affected', specify 'a third of all students are affected'.

Common error

Avoid using "third of all" when the 'all' is not clearly defined or is too broad. For example, saying 'a third of all people like pizza' is an overgeneralization; it's better to specify 'a third of all surveyed people'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third of all" functions as a determiner or quantifier, specifying a proportion or fraction of a group or quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "third of all" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a proportion, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications, indicating its versatility. When using "third of all", ensure that the reference group or 'all' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "approximately 33 percent" or "one out of three" exist, "third of all" remains a straightforward and widely understood option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately 33 percent of all

Uses percentage to express the fraction, which can add statistical precision.

roughly a third of all

Adds a degree of approximation, suggesting the proportion is not exact.

one out of every three

Presents the proportion as a ratio, changing the sentence structure.

a portion constituting one third of all

Rephrases it using 'portion' and gives a formal tone to the sentence.

nearly a third of the total

Focuses on the nearness to the fraction.

a third part of everything

Uses "everything" for generality, but this usage is less common and context-dependent.

a fraction equaling one third of the whole

Uses more mathematical language for expressing the proportion.

around 33% of the aggregate

Employs statistical terminology and refers to an aggregate, making it suitable for data contexts.

a substantial segment constituting a third

Highlights the significance of the segment that represents a third.

a considerable chunk representing a third

Implies size and significance, less formal.

FAQs

How can I use "third of all" in a sentence?

You can use "third of all" to describe a proportion of a group or total. For example, "A "third of all" students passed the exam", or ""Third of all" the company's profits come from overseas sales".

What are some alternatives to "third of all"?

Some alternatives to "third of all" include "approximately 33 percent", "roughly a third", or "one out of three", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "one third of all" or "a third of all"?

Both "one third of all" and "a third of all" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the flow of the sentence.

Can I use "third of all" to refer to things other than people?

Yes, "third of all" can refer to various countable items, not just people. For instance, ""Third of all" the apples were rotten", or ""Third of all" the budget was allocated to marketing".