Mastering “Two Thirds”: A Comprehensive Grammar Guide

Understanding how to use fractions like “two thirds” correctly is crucial for clear and accurate communication in English. This guide provides a detailed exploration of the grammar surrounding “two thirds,” covering its definition, structure, usage rules, and common mistakes.

Whether you are an ESL learner, a student, or simply someone looking to refine their grammar skills, this article will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need to confidently use “two thirds” in your writing and speech.

Table of Contents

Definition of “Two Thirds”

“Two thirds” is a fraction that represents two out of three equal parts of a whole. It can function as a noun, an adjective, or, rarely, an adverb, depending on its role in the sentence.

Understanding its grammatical function is key to using it correctly. The term itself is composed of two parts: the numerator (“two”) and the denominator (“thirds”).

This fraction is essential in expressing proportions, quantities, and divisions in various contexts.

As a noun, “two thirds” can act as the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. As an adjective, it modifies a noun, providing information about quantity or proportion. While less common, as an adverb, it can modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating the extent or degree to which something is done. Recognizing these different functions will help you construct grammatically sound sentences using “two thirds.”

Structural Breakdown

The structure of “two thirds” is relatively straightforward. The word “two” indicates the numerator, and “thirds” indicates that the whole is divided into three equal parts.

The key grammatical consideration arises when determining whether “thirds” should be singular (“third”) or plural (“thirds”). The plural form is used because the numerator is greater than one.

If the numerator were one, we would use the singular form, “one third.”

Here’s a breakdown of the structural elements:

  • Numerator: Represents the number of parts being considered (in this case, “two”).
  • Denominator: Represents the total number of equal parts the whole is divided into (in this case, “thirds”).
  • Pluralization: When the numerator is greater than one, the denominator takes the plural form (e.g., “two thirds,” “four fifths”). When the numerator is one, the denominator is singular (e.g., “one third,” “one half”).

Types and Categories of Usage

“Two Thirds” as a Noun

When “two thirds” functions as a noun, it can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. In this role, it often refers to a specific quantity or proportion.

The verb agreement depends on whether “two thirds” is followed by a countable or uncountable noun. If it’s followed by a countable noun, the verb typically agrees with the noun that follows “of.” If it’s followed by an uncountable noun, the verb is usually singular.

“Two Thirds” as an Adjective

As an adjective, “two thirds” modifies a noun, describing a portion or fraction of that noun. It usually precedes the noun it modifies.

Similar to its noun usage, the agreement with the noun is crucial. When used as an adjective, “two thirds” often indicates a proportion or a percentage, adding descriptive detail to the noun.

“Two Thirds” as an Adverb (Rare)

The adverbial use of “two thirds” is less common but can occur. In this case, it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating the degree or extent.

This usage is often more figurative than literal. For example, “He was two thirds convinced” suggests a level of conviction that is less than complete but significant.

Examples of “Two Thirds” in Sentences

Below are examples illustrating the different ways to use “two thirds” in sentences. The tables are organized by the grammatical function of “two thirds” – noun, adjective, and adverb – to provide clarity and context.

Noun Examples

This table presents examples where “two thirds” functions as a noun. Notice how it can act as a subject, object, or complement within the sentence.

Sentence Function of “Two Thirds”
Two thirds of the class are present today. Subject
The recipe calls for two thirds of a cup of sugar. Object
Two thirds of the project is complete. Subject
He donated two thirds of his income to charity. Object
Two thirds of the pie was eaten. Subject
She spent two thirds of her allowance on books. Object
Two thirds of the students passed the exam. Subject
The company owns two thirds of the subsidiary. Object
Two thirds of the land is arable. Subject
They invested two thirds of their savings in the stock market. Object
Two thirds of the population voted in the election. Subject
The committee approved two thirds of the proposed changes. Object
Two thirds of the building was destroyed in the fire. Subject
The artist used two thirds of the canvas. Object
Two thirds of the water in the bottle had evaporated. Subject
The farmer harvested two thirds of his crops. Object
Two thirds of the members supported the resolution. Subject
The scientist analyzed two thirds of the data. Object
Two thirds of the budget was allocated to education. Subject
The chef used two thirds of the ingredients. Object
Two thirds of the cake was gone within minutes. Subject
She read two thirds of the novel in one sitting. Object
Two thirds of the team agreed with the coach’s strategy. Subject
The engineer examined two thirds of the blueprints. Object
Two thirds of the artwork was completed by volunteers. Subject
They consumed two thirds of the pizza at the party. Object
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Adjective Examples

This table illustrates the use of “two thirds” as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a proportion or fraction.

Sentence Modified Noun
The company owns a two-thirds share in the venture. share
He received a two-thirds majority in the election. majority
The project is funded by a two-thirds grant. grant
The law requires a two-thirds vote for approval. vote
They control a two-thirds portion of the market. portion
The recipe calls for a two-thirds cup of flour. cup
The agreement requires a two-thirds consent from all parties. consent
The committee needs a two-thirds quorum to make decisions. quorum
The plan involves a two-thirds reduction in emissions. reduction
The land is divided into a two-thirds section for farming. section
The proposal received a two-thirds approval from the board. approval
The team completed a two-thirds phase of the project. phase
The survey showed a two-thirds preference for the new product. preference
The scientist analyzed a two-thirds sample of the data. sample
The book contains a two-thirds narrative of the historical events. narrative
The artwork features a two-thirds representation of the natural landscape. representation
The budget allocates a two-thirds amount to education. amount
The system operates on a two-thirds capacity during peak hours. capacity
The study revealed a two-thirds portion of the population affected. portion
The construction requires a two-thirds coverage of insulation. coverage
The experiment demonstrated a two-thirds improvement in efficiency. improvement
The investigation uncovered a two-thirds connection to the crime. connection
The report suggested a two-thirds adjustment to the policy. adjustment
The agreement guaranteed a two-thirds reimbursement for expenses. reimbursement
The assessment indicated a two-thirds completion of the tasks. completion

Adverb Examples (Rare)

This table presents examples, though rare, where “two thirds” could be interpreted as functioning adverbially. Note that these usages are less common and often more figurative.

Sentence Modified Element
He was two thirds convinced of her innocence. convinced (adjective)
The project is two thirds finished. finished (adjective)
She was two thirds ready to accept the offer. ready (adjective)
The cake was two thirds eaten before we arrived. eaten (verb)
The tank is two thirds full. full (adjective)
The process is two thirds complete. complete (adjective)
They were two thirds supportive of the new initiative. supportive (adjective)
The work is two thirds paid for. paid (verb)
The solution is two thirds implemented. implemented (verb)
He is two thirds recovered from his illness. recovered (verb)

Usage Rules

Using “two thirds” correctly involves understanding a few key grammar rules. These rules cover pluralization, subject-verb agreement, and the use of determiners.

Pluralization with “Two Thirds”

The denominator “thirds” is plural because the numerator “two” is greater than one. If the numerator were one, the denominator would be singular (“one third”).

This rule applies to all fractions where the numerator is greater than one.

Subject-Verb Agreement

When “two thirds” is the subject of a sentence, the verb agreement depends on the noun that follows “of.” If the noun is plural, the verb is plural. If the noun is singular or uncountable, the verb is singular.

Consider these examples:

  • Two thirds of the students are present. (plural noun, plural verb)
  • Two thirds of the water is gone. (uncountable noun, singular verb)
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Using Determiners with “Two Thirds”

Determiners (such as the, a, an, this, that, my, his) are often used with “two thirds” to specify the quantity or proportion being referred to. Using the correct determiner can enhance clarity.

For example:

  • The two thirds of the cake that remained were stale.
  • He drank a two-thirds portion of the juice.

Common Mistakes

Learners often make specific mistakes when using “two thirds.” Understanding these common errors and how to correct them is crucial for mastering this grammatical concept.

Incorrect Correct Explanation
Two third of the students is absent. Two thirds of the students are absent. The denominator must be plural when the numerator is greater than one, and the verb must agree with the plural noun “students.”
Two thirds of the money are gone. Two thirds of the money is gone. “Money” is an uncountable noun, so the verb should be singular.
A two third share. A two-thirds share. The adjective form requires a hyphen.
Two thirds the cake. Two thirds of the cake. The preposition “of” is needed to indicate the fraction of the whole.
He ate two third of the pizza. He ate two thirds of the pizza. The denominator must be plural when the numerator is greater than one.
Two thirds peoples voted. Two thirds of the people voted. The preposition “of” is needed, and “people” is the correct plural form.
The two thirds majority. The two-thirds majority. The adjective form requires a hyphen.

Practice Exercises

These exercises will help you practice using “two thirds” correctly in various contexts. Each exercise has a different focus to reinforce your understanding.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “two thirds” or a related phrase.

  1. __________ of the project is complete.
  2. The recipe requires __________ cup of sugar.
  3. He donated __________ of his salary to charity.
  4. __________ of the class passed the test.
  5. The company owns __________ share in the business.
  6. She spent __________ of her vacation in Italy.
  7. __________ of the building was destroyed in the fire.
  8. They consumed __________ of the pizza.
  9. The team completed __________ of the work.
  10. He was __________ convinced of the truth.

Answers:

  1. Two thirds
  2. two thirds of a
  3. two thirds
  4. Two thirds
  5. a two-thirds
  6. two thirds
  7. Two thirds
  8. two thirds
  9. two thirds
  10. two thirds

Exercise 2: Correct the Errors

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

  1. Two third of the students is present.
  2. She used a two third cup of flour.
  3. Two thirds the money are gone.
  4. He ate two third of the cake.
  5. The two thirds majority voted in favor.
  6. Two third peoples attended the meeting.
  7. They finished two third of the project early.
  8. Two third of the water are polluted.
  9. The experiment used a two third sample.
  10. Two third of the building remain standing.

Answers:

  1. Two thirds of the students are present.
  2. She used a two-thirds cup of flour.
  3. Two thirds of the money is gone.
  4. He ate two thirds of the cake.
  5. The two-thirds majority voted in favor.
  6. Two thirds of the people attended the meeting.
  7. They finished two thirds of the project early.
  8. Two thirds of the water is polluted.
  9. The experiment used a two-thirds sample.
  10. Two thirds of the building remains standing.

Exercise 3: Sentence Construction

Create sentences using “two thirds” according to the given instructions.

  1. Use “two thirds” as the subject of a sentence.
  2. Use “two thirds” as the object of a sentence.
  3. Use “a two-thirds” as an adjective modifying “share.”
  4. Use “two thirds of” followed by a plural noun.
  5. Use “two thirds of” followed by an uncountable noun.
  6. Write a sentence where someone donates “two thirds” of something.
  7. Write a sentence describing “two thirds” of a group agreeing on something.
  8. Describe a situation where “two thirds” of a physical object is damaged.
  9. Use “two-thirds” as an adjective to describe a “portion”.
  10. Use “two thirds” to describe someone’s level of certainty about something.

Example Answers:

  1. Two thirds of the voters supported the candidate.
  2. The company acquired two thirds of the startup’s assets.
  3. He owns a two-thirds share in the company.
  4. Two thirds of the apples were rotten.
  5. Two thirds of the milk has been spilled.
  6. She donated two thirds of her inheritance to the museum.
  7. Two thirds of the committee members agreed with the proposal.
  8. Two thirds of the bridge collapsed during the earthquake.
  9. The recipe calls for a two-thirds portion of water.
  10. He was two thirds certain that he had locked the door.
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Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of “two thirds” in complex sentences and idiomatic expressions can further refine their grammar skills.

“Two Thirds” in Complex Sentences

“Two thirds” can be incorporated into complex sentences to express more intricate relationships between ideas. Pay attention to how the clause containing “two thirds” interacts with the main clause.

For example:

  • Because two thirds of the students were absent, the teacher postponed the exam.
  • The project will be approved if two thirds of the board members vote in favor.

Idiomatic Expressions

While “two thirds” is not commonly found in idiomatic expressions, understanding its literal meaning helps in interpreting related phrases. Focus on the contextual meaning rather than a direct translation.

For instance, consider phrases that indicate a significant portion or majority. Although not directly using “two thirds,” they convey a similar sense of proportion.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section addresses common questions learners have about using “two thirds.”

  1. Question: Why is it “two thirds” and not “two third”?
    Answer: The denominator is pluralized as “thirds” because the numerator “two” is greater than one. This rule applies to all fractions where the numerator is greater than one. When the numerator is one, the denominator remains singular (e.g., “one third”).
  2. Question: How do I decide whether to use a singular or plural verb after “two thirds of”?
    Answer: The verb agreement depends on the noun that follows “of.” If the noun is plural, the verb is plural. If the noun is singular or uncountable, the verb is singular. For example, “Two thirds of the students are present” (plural) versus “Two thirds of the water is gone” (singular).
  3. Question: Is it correct to say “a two third share” or “a two-thirds share”?
    Answer: “A two-thirds share” is correct. When “two thirds” is used as an adjective modifying a noun, it should be hyphenated.
  4. Question: Can I use “two thirds” at the beginning of a sentence?
    Answer: Yes, you can use “two thirds” at the beginning of a sentence, as long as you follow the correct subject-verb agreement rules. For example, “Two thirds of the class are going on the field trip.”
  5. Question: What is the difference between “two thirds” and “66.67%”?
    Answer: “Two thirds” is a fraction representing two out of three equal parts of a whole. “66.67%” is the approximate percentage equivalent of two thirds. Both express a proportion, but “two thirds” is a fraction, while “66.67%” is a percentage.
  6. Question: When should I use “two thirds” instead of a decimal or percentage?
    Answer: Use “two thirds” when you want to express a precise fraction, especially when the decimal equivalent is a repeating decimal. It’s also appropriate in formal writing or when emphasizing the fractional relationship.
  7. Question: Is it ever correct to use “two thirds” as an adverb?
    Answer: While less common, “two thirds” can function adverbially, often figuratively, to indicate a degree or extent. For example, “He was two thirds convinced” suggests a significant but incomplete level of conviction.
  8. Question: How does the use of “two thirds” change in formal versus informal writing?
    Answer: In formal writing, using “two thirds” is perfectly acceptable and often preferred for its precision. In informal writing, you might opt for simpler terms like “most” or “a large portion,” but “two thirds” remains grammatically correct.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of “two thirds” involves understanding its grammatical function as a noun, adjective, or even an adverb, along with the rules governing pluralization and subject-verb agreement. By studying the examples provided and practicing the exercises, you can confidently incorporate “two thirds” into your everyday language.

Remember to pay attention to the context in which you are using “two thirds” and to avoid common mistakes such as incorrect pluralization or verb agreement. Consistent practice and careful attention to detail will help you refine your grammar skills and communicate more effectively.

Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find using “two thirds” becomes second nature!

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