a consecutive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a consecutive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a sequence of items, events, or numbers that follow one after the other without interruption. Example: "She won first place in three consecutive races, showcasing her exceptional talent."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But a consecutive night stay is required.

The New York Times

No number consists of a consecutive set of digits.

The Times

Adults, $17.50 (a consecutive second day is free); www.shelburnemuseum.org.org

The New York Times - Travel

We used a consecutive series approach toward inclusion.

The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

Design: Before-after trial performed by using a consecutive sample.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Design: Prospective outcome study of a consecutive sample.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Design: A case-comparison design with a consecutive sample.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Saca was not eligible for a consecutive term in office.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The program is also available in a consecutive four-week format.

Columbia University

Clinical course and management of a consecutive series of patients with "healed temporal arteritis".

Harvard University

Barred from seeking a consecutive term, he left office in 2014, succeeded by Bachelet.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a consecutive", ensure it clearly modifies a noun, specifying the nature of the sequence or series. For example: "a consecutive series of wins" is clearer than "the wins were consecutive."

Common error

Avoid using "a consecutive" with non-countable nouns. For instance, it's incorrect to say "a consecutive time"; instead, use "consecutive times" or "a number of consecutive times".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a consecutive" primarily functions as a determiner and adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that something follows in order without interruption. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, such as "a consecutive series" or "a consecutive year."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a consecutive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used determiner and adjective, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to specify an uninterrupted sequence of events, items, or periods across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to ensure proper usage with countable nouns to avoid errors. When aiming for variety, alternatives like "successive" or "sequential" can be used, though they might slightly alter the emphasis. Remember to ensure clarity and context when using "a consecutive" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

successive

This alternative emphasizes the sequential nature of the events or items, highlighting that they follow one after another.

sequential

Similar to 'successive', 'sequential' stresses the ordered arrangement and progression of items or events.

continuous

This term focuses on the unbroken or uninterrupted nature of the sequence or period, rather than the specific order.

running

This alternative highlights that the items or events happen one after another. Usually used when describing titles or sport victories.

straight

This term conveys the idea of a direct, uninterrupted series, often used informally to emphasize the lack of breaks.

back-to-back

Emphasizes the immediate succession of events, often used in contexts where timing is crucial.

in a row

A more colloquial phrase indicating that events or items follow each other directly without any breaks.

one after another

This phrase emphasizes the individual nature of the events while maintaining the sense of sequential occurrence.

seriatim

A more formal term for indicating a sequence, often used in legal or academic contexts.

in succession

This phrase places importance on events following each other, typically in an ordered or ranked manner.

FAQs

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

Use "a consecutive" to describe a series or sequence of events or items that follow one another without interruption. For example, "She won three "consecutive games"" or "The hotel requires "a consecutive night stay"".

What's the difference between "a consecutive" and "a continuous"?

"A consecutive" implies a sequence where events or items follow one after another in order. "A continuous" indicates something that goes on without stopping, but not necessarily in a specific order. For example, "consecutive days off" means days following one another, while "continuous noise" means noise that doesn't stop.

What are some alternatives to "a consecutive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a successive", "a sequential", or "a running" to express a similar idea. These alternatives all emphasize the following order or uninterrupted nature of something.

Is it correct to say "a consecutive year" or should I use another phrasing?

While "a consecutive year" is grammatically correct, it's often more natural to say "a successive year" or state the number of consecutive years, such as "two consecutive years". This makes the sentence flow more smoothly.