Meaning & use
thirdly
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Meanings
adverbformal
Used at the start of a sentence to introduce the third point in a list or argument.
Grammar: Usually comes first in the sentence, followed by a comma: Thirdly, we need to cut costs.
Patterns
- thirdly, ...
- and thirdly, ...
Firstly, we need more staff; secondly, better training; and thirdly, a bigger budget.
Thirdly, the report recommends that the company review its safety rules every year.
He listed three reasons for the delay, and thirdly he mentioned the bad weather.
adverbformal
Used to add the third item in a spoken series, often after 'firstly' and 'secondly'.
Grammar: Common in speeches and presentations; in relaxed speech people often just say 'third'.
Patterns
- firstly ... secondly ... thirdly ...
Firstly, thank you all for coming; secondly, welcome to our new colleagues; and thirdly, let's get started.
The plan has three stages: firstly research, secondly testing, and thirdly production.
Common combinations
- firstly ... secondly ... thirdly
- Firstly, book the hall; secondly, send the invitations; and thirdly, arrange the food.
- and thirdly
- She spoke about cost, quality, and thirdly, speed of delivery.
- thirdly, we need to
- Thirdly, we need to decide who will lead the project.
- thirdly and finally
- Thirdly and finally, I want to thank everyone who helped.
- thirdly, the report says
- Thirdly, the report says that training should be repeated each year.
Synonyms and how they differ
- third
- Shorter and more common in everyday speech; 'thirdly' sounds more formal and is typical of written lists.
- third of all
- Used in the phrase 'third of all' when listing points aloud, but it is less standard in writing than 'thirdly'.
Word family
Commonly confused: thirdly or third? thirdly or thirdy?
thirdly vs third
'Third' can be an adjective, noun or adverb; 'thirdly' is only the linking adverb used to open a list item.
thirdly vs thirdy
Not a real English word; the correct spelling of the adverb is 'thirdly'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'thirdly' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Thirdly' is a linking adverb that opens a sentence when you are listing points, so option A fits. Option B puts it in the middle of the verb phrase, where it does not belong; options C and D wrongly use it as an adjective before a noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “thirdly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.