Thirdly

You use thirdly at the beginning of a sentence to introduce your third main idea. It almost always follows firstly and secondly. It’s like a team captain—it doesn't work alone! You wouldn't just jump into a conversation with thirdly unless you want to confuse everyone within a five-mile radius. In modern writing, you usually follow it with a comma. For example: Thirdly, we need to consider the budget. It acts as an anchor for the sentence, giving the reader a second to breathe before you hit them with more information. It's the linguistic equivalent of a dramatic pause in a Netflix documentary.

This is a high-register word. It lives in the world of formal emails, academic papers, and professional presentations. If you use it in a text message to your best friend, they might ask if you’ve been replaced by an AI or a 19th-century professor. In casual speech, most native speakers just say third or and another thing. However, if you're writing a cover letter or a LinkedIn post about "industry insights," thirdly is your best friend. It gives your writing a polished, "I know what I’m talking about" vibe. It’s like wearing a blazer over a t-shirt—sophisticated but not quite a full tuxedo.

Imagine you're recording a TikTok about why a certain movie is overrated. You might say, "Firstly, the plot was thin. Secondly, the acting was wooden. And thirdly, that ending made zero sense!" Even in a casual app like TikTok, using these markers helps your followers stay engaged. Or think about a Zoom meeting where you're pitching a new app idea. You’d say, "Thirdly, our user interface is way more intuitive than the competition." It keeps the boss from scrolling through their phone because they know you’re following a clear path. It’s the breadcrumbs of the English language.

Use thirdly when you have exactly three (or more) distinct points to make. It’s perfect for structured arguments where clarity is king. Use it in professional emails when you’re listing reasons for a delay or benefits of a new project. It’s also great for debate club or any situation where you want to sound like the smartest person in the room. If you’re writing a Yelp review and you want the manager to take your complaint seriously, thirdly can make your grievances sound like a legal deposition rather than just a rant.

Never use thirdly without having used firstly and secondly first. It’s like starting a movie at the 45-minute mark—everyone will be lost. Also, avoid it in very informal settings like gaming chats or casual DMs. If you’re at a bar with friends, saying "thirdly, I’d like another beer" will definitely get you some funny looks. Most modern style guides (like AP or Chicago) actually prefer just third because it’s shorter. So, if you're writing for a trendy blog, third might be better. Thirdly is for when you want to lean into that classic, slightly old-school authority.

One of the biggest blunders is the "sequence mix-up." Don't start with first and then switch to secondly and thirdly. Pick a lane! Either use first, second, third or firstly, secondly, thirdly. Mixing them is like wearing one sneaker and one high heel. Another mistake is using it for a list of 50 things. If you get to seventeenthly, please stop. Your readers have families to go home to. Use thirdly for short, punchy lists of three to five items.

• ✗ First, we need coffee. Second, we need milk. Thirdly, we need sugar. → ✓ Firstly, we need coffee. Secondly, we need milk. Thirdly, we need sugar.
• ✗ Thirdly, I think we should go. (When it's the first point you've made) → ✓ First, I think we should go.

The most common alternative is simply third. It does the same job but feels a bit faster and more modern. You might also hear next, furthermore, or in addition. If you want to be extra fancy (or a bit dramatic), you can use last but not least if the third point is also your final one. In British English, you’ll find thirdly much more often than in American English, where brevity is often preferred. Some people even use and finally if they only have three points, skipping thirdly altogether to get to the finish line faster.

Is thirdly even a real word? Yes, it absolutely is! Some people think it’s fake because it sounds a bit clunky, but it’s been in the dictionary for centuries. Can I use it as the last point? Yes, if you only have three points, thirdly is your closer. However, finally often feels more satisfying at the end. Is it better than third? It depends on the vibe. Thirdly is for the boardroom; third is for the group chat. If you're writing a PhD thesis, use thirdly. If you're writing a grocery list, maybe just use a bullet point and save your ink.