a sequence of events

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sequence of events" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a series of events that happened in chronological order. For example, "The investigation revealed a sequence of events that led to the company's collapse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"No sovereign state can ignore such a sequence of events".

The New York Times

Photography books are about a sequence of events.

The New Yorker

That's history: a sequence of events in which human beings play the leading part.

The Guardian - Books

At last, at dawn on Thursday, Nov. 25, the news broke in a sequence of events.

The New York Times

• All told, it was a sequence of events that could make a man question his luck.

The New York Times

"Why are some things a story and others just a sequence of events?

The Guardian - Books

He did, and so began a sequence of events that would transform the fortunes of War Horse.

The Guardian - Books

Which makes a sequence of events of last Thursday and Friday involving Goldman Sachs' semiconductor stock analyst very intriguing.

The New York Times

It's no longer necessarily a sequence of events that follow one after another to form a comprehensible order.

The Guardian - Film

Yet they concerned a sequence of events where those who disagreed were eyewitnesses on crucial questions of fact.

The Guardian - Books

A two-day hearing disclosed a sequence of events that contributed to the error going undetected and the horse running.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sequence of events", ensure the order is clear to the reader. Use transitional words like "first", "next", "then", and "finally" to guide them through the chronology.

Common error

Avoid implying a causal relationship within the "a sequence of events" when none exists. If events are merely chronological and not causally linked, make that distinction clear to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sequence of events" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a set of occurrences linked together, either chronologically or causally, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sequence of events" is a versatile phrase used to describe a series of happenings, often with a chronological or causal connection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports and scientific papers to everyday conversation. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the order of events and avoid implying causation where none exists. Alternative phrases like "a chain of events" or "a series of occurrences" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a chain of events

Focuses more on the interconnectedness and causal relationship between the events.

a series of occurrences

Emphasizes the individual happenings more than their order or connection.

a course of events

Suggests a predetermined or natural progression.

a chain reaction

Implies that one event directly causes the next in a domino effect.

a succession of incidents

Highlights the individual, possibly unrelated, nature of the incidents.

a progression of actions

Emphasizes deliberate steps taken one after another.

a flow of incidents

Suggests a natural and continuous movement from one event to the next.

an unfolding story

Implies a narrative or revelation as the events occur.

a string of happenings

Highlights the casual or accidental nature of the events.

a causal chain

Emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship linking the events together.

FAQs

How can I use "a sequence of events" in a sentence?

You can use "a sequence of events" to describe a series of happenings, often in chronological order. For example, "The detective reconstructed "a sequence of events" that led to the crime."

What phrases are similar to "a sequence of events"?

Similar phrases include "a chain of events", "a series of occurrences", or "a course of events" depending on the specific context.

Is "a sequence of events" formal or informal?

"A sequence of events" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "a sequence of events" and "a series of events"?

While similar, "a sequence of events" often implies a chronological order or a causal relationship, while "a series of events" simply suggests multiple events occurring, without necessarily implying a specific order or connection.