three of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "three of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific quantity or subset of items, often in contexts like counting or categorizing. Example: "Three of the participants in the study reported feeling more energized after the intervention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Three of you guys".

The New Yorker

Three of them scored.

The New York Times

Three of them did.

The New York Times

"Two of them died".

The New York Times

The three of them.

The New Yorker

Three of them laughed.

The New Yorker

Three of the A.W.L.U.

The New York Times

At least three of them.

The New York Times

All three of them laughed.

The New York Times - Books

He's vetoed three of them.

The New York Times

I'll cite three of them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "three of" to clearly indicate a specific quantity selected from a larger group. This is especially useful when precision is needed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs or pronouns when referring to the group that "three of" belongs to. Ensure that the verb and pronoun agree with the plural nature of the group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "three of" functions as a determiner phrase that specifies a quantity. It identifies a subset of three from a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it precedes a noun phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "three of" is a common and grammatically correct way to specify a quantity from a larger group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used frequently across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "a trio of" or "three out of" exist, "three of" provides a clear and straightforward way to convey numerical information. Remember to maintain number agreement and avoid using singular nouns when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three out of

Highlights the selection from a larger set, focusing on the ratio or proportion.

a trio of

Emphasizes a group of three as a unit, often used in more formal contexts.

three from

Focuses on the act of choosing or extracting three items from a collection.

three among

Highlights the presence of three within a larger group, often emphasizing their distinction.

a few of

Indicates a small, unspecified number, less precise than "three of".

three instances of

Emphasizes the occurrence of something three times, often in a documented or observed context.

specifically three

Emphasizes the exact number being referred to, clarifying any ambiguity.

a third of

Specifically refers to one part when something is divided into three equal parts.

three individuals

Emphasizes that the "three of" refers to three people as separate entities.

a triple of

Less common, but can emphasize a group of three, often used in specific fields like sports.

FAQs

How can I use "three of" in a sentence?

Use "three of" to specify a quantity from a larger group. For example, "Three of the students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to "three of"?

You can use alternatives like "a trio of", "three out of", or "a few of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "three of the student" instead of "three of the students"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct form is "three of the students" because "three of" implies a plural noun.

What's the difference between "three of" and "a third of"?

"Three of" refers to three items from any size group, whereas "a third of" specifically refers to one part when something is divided into three equal parts.