a quick succession of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quick succession of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a series of events or actions that happen one after another in a short period of time. Example: "The fireworks exploded in a quick succession of colors, lighting up the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A quick succession of management turnovers followed.

The New York Times

—Northanger Abbey (1817) Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings".

The Guardian - Books

Sure enough, the bottom of that inning included a quick succession of Yankee home runs.

The New York Times

In two years, the Eastern Bloc will disintegrate in a quick succession of velvet and not-so-velvet revolutions.

The New Yorker

The messages showed a quick succession of electrical faults followed by a loss of cabin pressure and systems shutting down.

The Guardian

A quick succession of much larger charges followed, including purchasing of clothing and a transaction in Milan.

The Guardian

And shooting a bad guy in the head will summon a quick succession of comic book panels illustrating his death.

The New York Times - Tech

Such a quick succession of euphoria, bewilderment, vertigo, humiliation, despair and absolute broken-heartedness have no place in real life.

The Guardian - Books

One suspected method is "banging the close": submitting a quick succession of orders just as the benchmark is set, to distort its value.

The Economist

With little English and $300 in her pocket, she struggled, working at a quick succession of restaurants including Sette MoMA, Café des Artistes and Le Bernardin.

The New York Times

Using a quick succession of tools — suction cup, razor blade and screwdriver — Mr. McElroy sets to work replacing a broken screen, deftly prying it off the iPhone.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick succession of" when you want to emphasize that several things happened rapidly one after another, creating a sense of urgency or intensity. For example: "The batter hit a quick succession of foul balls before finally striking out."

Common error

While "a quick succession of" is suitable for many situations, be mindful of overuse in very formal writing where more precise or nuanced language might be preferred. Consider using alternatives like "a rapid series of" or describing the events with more specific verbs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick succession of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun. According to Ludwig, it indicates that multiple events or items are following each other rapidly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a quick succession of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe events or items following each other rapidly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's deemed correct and applicable across various contexts, mostly in news, science and encyclopedia, conveying a sense of immediacy or intensity. For more formal writing, consider using alternatives like "a rapid series of". While generally neutral in tone, awareness of register ensures its appropriate use in any writing scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a swift sequence of

Replaces "quick" with "swift", emphasizing speed and smoothness.

a rapid series of

Substitutes "succession" with "series", focusing on the sequential nature.

a fast string of

Uses "string" instead of "succession", highlighting a connected sequence.

a flurry of

Implies a sudden and often energetic burst or rush.

a cascade of

Suggests a flowing, downward progression, similar to a waterfall.

a spate of

Describes a large number of similar things or events occurring in a short period.

a barrage of

Emphasizes an overwhelming quantity or rapid delivery of something.

a cluster of

Highlights a group of items appearing or occurring together.

a chain of

Focuses on the interconnected nature of events or items.

an outbreak of

Suggests a sudden and widespread occurrence, often implying something negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "a quick succession of" to describe events or actions happening rapidly one after another. For example, "The magician performed "a quick succession of tricks", amazing the audience."

What can I say instead of "a quick succession of"?

Alternatives include "a swift sequence of", "a rapid series of", or "a flurry of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a quick succession of" formal or informal?

"A quick succession of" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives.

Which is correct, "a quick succession of events" or "a quick succession of event"?

"A quick succession of events" is correct. "Succession" refers to a series, so it should be followed by a plural noun (events).