third time out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "third time out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation where something is attempted for the third time, often implying that previous attempts were unsuccessful. Example: "After failing twice, I decided to give it another shot on the third time out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Jeff Chen is back with us today, and in my opinion, his third time out is his most fun puzzle yet.

The New York Times

His third time out in The New York Times as a crossword constructor is no different than his first two times: cleverly punny and sure to cause a guffaw or two.

The New York Times

Third time out, he and producer Alex McGowan have not only nailed the live act, they've gone further, creating a monster that could be a challenge to replicate on stage.

The Guardian - Music

MONDAY'S PUZZLE — This is Michael Farabaugh's third time out in The New York Times, and he offers us a perfectly O.K. puzzle that is a twist on the vowel run theme: instead of the letters being vowel runs, Mr. Farabaugh shows us that we can have our cruciverbal cake and eat it too.

The New York Times

America's best nonfiction writer of the last 50 years has written a novel, in his third time out, that is really a novel, not just a collection of dazzling social-satire set pieces.

Forbes

But this is just our third time out making mini-movies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"His first time out was very encouraging.

The Guardian - Sport

Not bad for a first time out, Mr. Schmiedeler.

The New York Times

By winning first time out, he had exceeded his limits.

The Guardian - Sport

"They both won the first time out," Mr. Wygod said.

The New York Times

My first time out on the campaign trail, I got impossibly sick.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "third time out" when you want to emphasize that something has been attempted twice before, adding a sense of persistence or a narrative element to the situation.

Common error

Avoid writing "third times out" because "time" refers to the occasion or instance, not a countable number. It should be "third time out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third time out" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the number of times an action has been performed. Ludwig examples show it's used to provide context regarding repeated attempts or occurrences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "third time out" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered phrase used to denote the third instance or attempt of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and identifies its usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While not overly frequent, it effectively conveys the idea of repetition and persistence, as confirmed by Ludwig. To avoid common errors, ensure you use "time" instead of "times". Alternatives include "third attempt" or "on the third occasion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

third attempt

Replaces "time out" with a more direct synonym for effort or try.

third try

Similar to "third attempt" but uses the simpler word "try".

on the third occasion

Formal variation replacing "time out" with "occasion".

for the third instance

Similar to 'on the third occasion', focusing on a specific instance.

after two previous attempts

Explains the situation leading up to the third attempt, emphasizing prior efforts.

the third opportunity

Emphasizes the chance or possibility presented.

in the third iteration

Suitable when referring to a process or design that has been repeated.

a third chance

Highlights the aspect of receiving another chance.

the third go

Informal synonym for "attempt" or "try".

on its third showing

Appropriate for performances, presentations, or displays.

FAQs

What does "third time out" mean?

The phrase "third time out" means the third occasion or attempt at something, often implying that previous attempts have occurred.

How can I use "third time out" in a sentence?

You can use "third time out" to describe a situation where someone is trying something for the third time. For example: "Jeff Chen is back with us today, and in my opinion, his "third time out" is his most fun puzzle yet."

Which is a more formal way to say "third time out"?

A more formal way to say "third time out" would be "on the third occasion" or "for the third instance".

What are some alternatives to "third time out"?

You can use alternatives like "third attempt", "third try", or "third opportunity" depending on the context.