consecutive sentences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consecutive sentences" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a series of sentences that are directly following each other without any other sentences in between. Example: The judge handed down three consecutive sentences to the defendant for his multiple offenses, totaling 20 years in prison.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It makes four appearances in four consecutive sentences.

The Guardian

Nichols is serving 161 consecutive sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Guardian

Indeed he admitted that, "undoubtedly, applying general sentencing principles, consecutive sentences could properly be imposed".

The Guardian - Opinion

To opt for concurrent rather than consecutive sentences was entirely the judge's decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

(The other participants, including her husband at the time, each received three consecutive sentences).

The New York Times - Books

The Department of Corrections calculated all three as consecutive sentences, assigning Mr. Hill a release date of Oct. 29, 2004.

The New York Times

I realise that I have used two exclamation marks in two consecutive sentences, but this is an extraordinary mathematical circumstance.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Justice Berkman said the law compelled consecutive sentences for Mr. Williams, whom she called an "extremely dangerous man".

The New York Times

Mr. Dimarco was released in August after serving 12 years of consecutive sentences for a burglary and several robbery convictions.

The New York Times

Justice Albert Tomei sentenced Mr. Carrington to consecutive sentences of 25 years to life for murder and 15 years for attempted murder.

The New York Times

The prosecutor in the case, Robert Prisco, asked the judge to sentence Mr. DeRosario to maximum, consecutive sentences -- 50 years in prison.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal contexts, be aware that "consecutive sentences" for crimes mean the terms are served one after the other, increasing the total time of incarceration.

Common error

Avoid assuming "consecutive sentences" and concurrent sentences are the same. Consecutive sentences are served one after the other, while concurrent sentences are served at the same time, significantly affecting the total prison time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consecutive sentences" functions as a noun phrase. Based on Ludwig, it commonly refers to a series of sentences that directly follow each other without any intervening sentences or, in legal contexts, prison sentences served in direct succession.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "consecutive sentences" is a common and grammatically correct term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It refers to sentences following one another without interruption or, in legal contexts, prison sentences served sequentially. Usage is primarily found in News & Media and Science, with a formal to neutral register. While straightforward, it's crucial to differentiate "consecutive sentences" from concurrent sentences in legal settings to avoid misinterpretations. The phrase effectively describes sequential arrangements and is supported by numerous examples in reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

successive sentences

Replaces "consecutive" with a synonym, maintaining the meaning of sentences following one another without interruption.

sequential sentences

Another synonym for "consecutive", emphasizing the ordered sequence of the sentences.

immediately following sentences

Emphasizes the direct and uninterrupted succession of the sentences.

sentences in succession

Similar to "successive sentences", highlighting the sequential nature.

sentences in immediate sequence

Formal alternative emphasizing the unbroken order.

sentences in a row

More informal phrasing expressing the idea of sentences following each other directly.

sentences that follow one another

A slightly more descriptive way of expressing the same concept.

sentences directly after each other

Highlights the directness of the succession.

adjacent sentences

Indicates that the sentences are next to each other.

sentences appearing one after the other

A more verbose alternative, emphasizing the order of appearance.

FAQs

How is "consecutive sentences" used in legal terms?

In law, "consecutive sentences" means that a person convicted of multiple crimes must serve the sentences for each crime one after the other, rather than at the same time. This can result in a significantly longer prison term.

What's the opposite of "consecutive sentences" in a legal context?

The opposite of "consecutive sentences" is "concurrent sentences", where multiple sentences are served simultaneously. This means the total jail time is usually the length of the longest sentence.

When is it appropriate to use the term "consecutive sentences" in writing?

Use "consecutive sentences" when you want to emphasize that events, ideas, or sentences follow one another directly and without interruption. It's suitable for describing patterns in writing, or legal sentencing structures.

Are there alternatives to using "consecutive sentences" when describing text?

Yes, alternatives include "successive sentences", "sequential sentences", or simply "sentences that follow one another" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.