third time round

USAGE SUMMARY

"third time round" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that has happened three times in a row or in succession. Example: "I failed my driving test twice, but I finally passed on the third time round." In this example, the speaker is referring to their third attempt at taking the driving test, after having failed it twice before. The phrase "third time round" emphasizes the consecutive nature of the attempts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Science

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But third time round, she's serious.

The Guardian - Music

Third time round, she is "getting better" at it.

The Guardian - Books

Third time round, I catch myself humming the theme tune.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Third time round, I'm pleased to report, looking after a newborn is much more fun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those who passed third time round were least likely to be involved in an accident and more likely to describe their driving as "safe" and "cautious".

Independent

Wallaby skipper Eales predicted the breadth of a cigarette paper would separate the teams third time round after two Tests of lopsided scorelines.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

There was such a vocal texture in the film, if you really listened you could hear things you might have missed on the first time round or even the second or third times round.

The Guardian - Film

"We did first time round.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Second time round, he passed.

The Guardian

The second time round it was 125,000.

The Guardian - Music

There was a glitch first time round.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "third time round" to clearly indicate that an event or action has occurred three times, particularly when emphasizing persistence or a change in outcome after multiple attempts.

Common error

Avoid using "third time round" when the actions or events are not directly related or sequential. Ensure there's a clear connection between the attempts being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third time round" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing or sequence of an action. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Film

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "third time round" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for expressing that something is happening for the third time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to emphasize repetition and potential success after previous attempts. While its register is generally neutral, it is most frequently encountered in news, lifestyle, and sports contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it refers to a sequential series of events to avoid misuse. For variety, consider alternatives such as "on the third attempt" or "a third time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a third time

A simpler and more direct way of stating that something is happening for the third time.

on the third attempt

Focuses on the number of attempts made to achieve something.

for the third occasion

Highlights the specific instance or event that is occurring.

for the third instance

Similar to "for the third occasion" but slightly more formal.

in the third iteration

Implies a process or cycle that is being repeated.

in the third repetition

Highlights the repetitive nature of the event.

after two previous tries

Emphasizes the preceding attempts before the current one.

at the third opportunity

Focuses on the chance or possibility to do something.

the third go

A more informal way of saying the third try or attempt.

on its third recurrence

Suggests a pattern or cyclical event that is happening again.

FAQs

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

You can use "third time round" to indicate that something is happening for the third time, especially after previous attempts. For example, "I failed my driving test twice, but I passed it "third time round"".

What is a simple alternative to "third time round"?

A simple alternative to "third time round" is "a third time". Both phrases indicate that something is happening for the third time, but "a third time" is less idiomatic.

Is it correct to use "third time around" instead of "third time round"?

Yes, "third time around" is a common variant of ""third time round"" and is equally acceptable. Both phrases have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

What does "third time's the charm" mean, and how does it relate to "third time round"?

"Third time's the charm" is an idiom that suggests that after two unsuccessful attempts, the third attempt will be successful. It shares a similar concept with ""third time round"", emphasizing the hope for success on the third try.