back-to-back

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "back-to-back" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when describing a situation where two similar events happen in immediate succession. For example, "The company won back-to-back championships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Eight scary movies screened back-to-back.

The New York Times

The Philadelphia back-to-back was tough.

The New York Times

Some call it the back-to-back.

The New York Times - Sports

He finished with back-to-back birdies.

The New York Times - Sports

Back-to-back M.L.S. titles and questions.

The New York Times

Back-to-back games with back-to-back emotion".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"It's back to back to back".

The New York Times

Back to Back".

The New Yorker

It's a back to back!

The New York Times - Sports

"I went back to back to back to back to back," he once said.

The New Yorker

We watched several episodes, back to back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "back-to-back", ensure the context clearly indicates what events or items are occurring in sequence. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid omitting the hyphens in "back-to-back" when used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "back to back meetings"). Use hyphens to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back-to-back" functions primarily as an adjective to describe events, items, or entities occurring in sequence or positioned with their backs facing. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "back-to-back" is a versatile term primarily used as an adjective to describe sequential events or opposing positions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Key alternatives include "consecutive", "successive", and "sequential", each offering subtle nuances. When writing, remember to use hyphens for adjectival use and ensure context clarifies the sequential nature. With a strong presence in news, science, and wiki sources, "back-to-back" remains a relevant and effective phrase for expressing immediate succession or opposing placement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consecutive

This term emphasizes the unbroken sequence of events.

successive

Similar to 'consecutive', but can imply a chain of events leading to a particular outcome.

in succession

A more formal way to express events following each other.

sequential

Highlights the ordered nature of the occurrences.

in a row

More informal way to denote consecutiveness.

one after another

Emphasizes the immediate succession of events.

following each other

Directly indicates the sequence of events.

running

Implies a continuous series without interruption.

straight

Similar to 'in a row' but potentially applicable over longer durations.

seriatim

A less common, more formal term for occurring in a series.

FAQs

How is "back-to-back" used in a sentence?

The phrase "back-to-back" can be used to describe events happening immediately one after the other, as in "They won "back-to-back championships"" or to describe items positioned with their backs facing, as in "The chairs were arranged "back-to-back"".

What are some synonyms for "back-to-back"?

Alternatives to "back-to-back" include "consecutive", "successive", or "sequential", depending on the specific context you wish to emphasize.

Is it correct to write "back to back" instead of "back-to-back"?

While "back to back" can be used as an adverb, as in "Stand back to back", it's generally preferable to use the hyphenated form, "back-to-back", when using it as an adjective, such as in "back-to-back meetings", to maintain clarity.

What does "back-to-back" mean when referring to houses?

When describing houses, "back-to-back" refers to houses that share a rear wall, meaning there is no backyard or alley separating them.