chronological

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "chronological" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the arrangement of events in the order they occurred in time. An example is: "The events were presented in a chronological order." Alternative expressions include "sequential" and "temporal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We wanted a more linear story, so we start at the chronological beginning.

The Guardian - Film

It traces a chronological history, beginning with their unpromising genesis in the folk parks of 1960s Sweden – where Ulvaeus's winsome Hootennany Singers plied their trade, and Andersson's noticeably more raunchy beat combo The Hep Stars promoted their album We and Our Cadillac.

The Guardian - Music

Since I have no logical reason to suspect that you'd disagree with me, I've chosen to share my findings with you, in chronological order: Backdrop: Red, but a darker red than usual.

The Guardian

And, first time around, I hadn't really noticed the bizarre structure to the book; early on, the chronological mesh is rather daring, risking losing the unwary reader completely.

The Guardian - Books

His digressions, chronological shifts – time washes back and forth like an unpredictable tide – and forensic observations of the everyday are an astonishing effort to capture the vast mystery of consciousness through the techniques of a novelist.

The Guardian - Books

Teachers lead their charges through chronological summaries of important events.

The Economist

Across the Atlantic in northern England, Alice Grierson, in her penultimate year of school in Yorkshire, is glad that she is not being taught in a strictly chronological fashion.

The Economist

Mr Gove's proposal called for history to be studied "as a coherent, chronological narrative", beginning with the early Britons and ending with the cold war.

The Economist

The display is broadly chronological: early works to the right of the staircase, late ones to the left.

The Economist

HSBC has a history wall at its London headquarters with 3,743 images drawn from its archives and arranged in chronological order.Company museums are not just for cementing bonds with customers.

The Economist

Each book takes a roughly chronological approach and focuses primarily on the Christian tradition.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or processes, using "chronological" order helps readers understand the sequence and relationships between different stages. It's particularly useful in historical narratives, scientific reports, and procedural guides.

Common error

Avoid using "chronological" when simply describing a list of events without emphasizing their sequence in time. Ensure that the order of presentation reflects the actual order in which the events occurred.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "chronological" primarily functions to describe the order or arrangement of events, items, or data based on their sequence in time. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing narratives, histories, and displays organized by time. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chronological" is a versatile adjective used to describe arrangements or presentations ordered by time. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse fields, including news, business, and science. When writing, consider using alternatives such as "sequential" or "time-based" for variety, but ensure the emphasis remains on the order of events in time. Avoid using "chronological" when the time sequence isn't a primary aspect. The term is considered neutral in register and widely accepted for conveying time-related order.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in time order

This alternative directly indicates arrangement based on the sequence of time.

sequentially ordered

Focuses on the sequential aspect of the arrangement, highlighting the order in which events occur.

in sequence

Emphasizes the arrangement of events following one after another.

time-based order

Highlights that the order is determined by the passage of time.

arranged by date

Specifies that the arrangement is according to calendar dates.

in historical order

Emphasizes the historical context of the time-based arrangement.

following a timeline

Implies adherence to a structured representation of events in time.

serially

Indicates that items are presented one after the other in a series.

according to age

Highlights the ordering of elements depending on their age or origin date.

ordered by occurrence

Focuses on the arrangement of events based on when they happened.

FAQs

How can I use "chronological" in a sentence?

You can use "chronological" to describe the order in which events occurred, as in "The report presented the findings in "chronological order"" or "The exhibit displayed the artist's works in "chronological sequence"".

What is a good alternative to the word "chronological"?

Alternatives to "chronological" include "sequential", "temporal", or "time-based", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "chronological order" or "chronological sequence"?

"Chronological order" and "chronological sequence" are both correct and commonly used phrases. They both indicate that events are arranged in the order they occurred in time.

What's the difference between "chronological" and "historical"?

"Chronological" refers specifically to the order in which events occurred in time. "Historical", on the other hand, relates to the study of the past and may not always emphasize the precise sequence of events. An account can be historical without being strictly "chronological", and vice-versa.