In succession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In succession" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe events or actions that occur one after another in a sequence. Example: "The team won three championships in succession, showcasing their dominance in the league."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In succession.

Huffington Post

In succession, means were calculated across subjects.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

He walked Richardson and Tresh in succession.

The New Yorker

'Most hundreds in succession' - seventh.

The Guardian - Sport

This was their 11th victory in succession.

The Guardian - Sport

The paper lost four printers in succession.

The New York Times

The match at the Wanderers was his 38th in succession.

Independent

He is also third in succession to the presidency.

The New York Times

All the men tried the three programs in succession.

The New York Times

Blue's cell phone rang several times in succession, rousing him.

The New Yorker

Kompany's goal came after two City corners in succession.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in succession" to clearly indicate that events or actions occur one after the other without interruption, emphasizing the sequential nature of the occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "in succession" when events are happening at the same time. This phrase indicates a sequence, not concurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in succession" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the manner in which actions or events occur, indicating they happen sequentially. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in succession" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that means one thing following another, without interruption. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence across varied source types, including news media, scientific publications and encyclopedias. Understanding its function and register helps writers to employ it effectively in creating clarity and emphasis on sequential events. While "in succession" enjoys widespread use, exploring alternatives like "consecutively" or "in a row" can add variety and precision to writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consecutively

This alternative emphasizes the unbroken sequence of events.

in a row

This is a more informal way to express the same idea of things happening one after another.

one after another

This option highlights the sequential nature of the events.

sequentially

This implies a specific order or arrangement in the occurrence of events.

running

This suggests a continuous series without interruption.

successively

Similar to "sequentially", but with a slightly more formal tone.

in sequence

This emphasizes the ordered arrangement of the events.

straight

This is a colloquial way to indicate events happening one right after the other.

in turn

This highlights that each event happens after the previous one, often in a predetermined order.

following each other

This expresses the idea of a series of events where each one comes after the previous one.

FAQs

How can I use "in succession" in a sentence?

You can use "in succession" to describe events that happen one after the other. For example, "The paper lost four printers "in succession"."

What are some alternatives to "in succession"?

Some alternatives to "in succession" include "consecutively", "in a row", or "one after another". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "in succession" and "in sequence"?

"In succession" implies a temporal order, while "in sequence" can refer to any ordered arrangement. Using "in succession" indicates events follow one after another, while "in sequence" may refer to steps or items arranged according to a defined order or pattern.

When is it appropriate to use "in succession" instead of other similar phrases?

Use "in succession" when you want to emphasize the continuous and uninterrupted nature of a series of events. For example, "England have now won three Ashes series "in succession"" highlights the winning streak.