was over a third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was over a third" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a quantity or amount exceeds one-third of a total. Example: "The budget for the project was over a third of the total funding available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That amount was over a third more than it paid for the previous round of Olympics broadcasting rights.

The New York Times - Sports

Within two years, it had reached 160,000, which was over a third of Palestine's total Jewish population.

Wikipedia

The proportion of all falls during follow-up in which this occurred was lower one in five but was over a third if the person who fell was alone and could not get up without help.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Portaferry woman was over a second inside the London B standard (4 08.90).

BBC

Her winning time was over a second ahead of second place finisher Leisel Jones.

Wikipedia

The sum is over a third of the value of the catch.

The Economist

Many leave for South Africa, where wages are over a third higher and jobs easier to find.

The Economist

HSBC Global Research estimated the total green share could be over a third of the total package.

The Guardian

The proportion in New Zealand, which was the first country to allow women to vote, is over a third.

The Economist

In the United States, the multicultural consumer today is over a third of the population, and 80percentt of the population growth.

The New York Times

He now has well over twice as many delegates as his closest rival, Rick Santorum, and is over a third of the way towards the 1,144 needed to prevail.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was over a third", ensure the context clearly defines the total amount or group from which the third is derived. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was over a third" without clearly specifying what constitutes the whole or the base number. Without a clear reference, the statement lacks context and may be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was over a third" functions as a descriptive quantifier, indicating that a particular amount or proportion exceeded one-third of a total. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was over a third" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a quantity or proportion exceeded one-third of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key: always specify what constitutes the total amount to prevent misinterpretations. Related phrases such as "exceeded one third" and "more than a third" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. Overall, this phrase is a versatile and useful tool for quantitative descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded one third

Replaces "was over a third" with a more formal verb, emphasizing the surpassing of the threshold.

more than a third

A simpler and more direct way of saying that something surpasses the one-third mark.

surpassed a third

Similar to "exceeded one third", but with a slightly different nuance in formality.

beyond a third

Highlights that the amount is not just above, but significantly exceeding a third.

in excess of a third

A more formal and emphatic way to state that something is more than a third.

greater than a third

A more mathematical and precise way to indicate the amount surpassed one third.

amounted to more than a third

Emphasizes the accumulation or totaling of the quantity exceeding one third.

represented over a third

Focuses on the proportion or representation exceeding one third.

constituted over a third

Highlights the part that makes up more than a third of the whole.

accounted for more than a third

Similar to "constituted over a third", but with a sense of explaining what the quantity represents.

FAQs

What does "was over a third" mean?

The phrase "was over a third" means that a quantity or amount exceeded one-third of a particular total. It indicates a proportion greater than 33.33%.

What can I say instead of "was over a third"?

You can use alternatives like "exceeded one third", "more than a third", or "surpassed a third" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was over a third"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "was over a third". The phrase is commonly used and understood in various contexts, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

How do I use "was over a third" in a sentence?

Use "was over a third" to describe a quantity or proportion that surpasses one-third of a total. For example, "The budget for the project "was over a third" of the total funding available."