five years running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "five years running" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been happening continuously for five years, often in the context of awards, achievements, or ongoing events. Example: "Our company has been recognized as the best in the industry for five years running."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Crime has dropped five years running.

The Guardian

Mexico has topped the list for five years running.

The New York Times

High-street prices have been falling for five years running, helping to push profits down.

The Economist

Otherwise, Dolan has been out of sight and off limits for five years running.

The New York Times

For five years running, the chancellor's budgets were too optimistic about tax receipts.

The Economist

By 2009 an English side had been in the Champions League final for five years running.

The Guardian - Sport

A woman who spent five years running around the world receives an MBE.

The Guardian

In the Harden's London Restaurants guide, it's been voted the city's favourite eating house five years running.

Independent

The center, which has an annual operating budget of $30 million, has been in the black for five years running.

The New York Times - Arts

The IFS points out that Treasury plans for civil-service numbers have been exceeded for five years running.

The Economist

The manager, Todd Combs, 39, has spent the last five years running Castle Point Capital Management in Greenwich, Conn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "five years running", ensure the context clearly establishes what has been happening continuously. Ambiguity can weaken the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "five years running" when the event or achievement isn't truly consecutive. If there were interruptions or gaps, a different phrase would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "five years running" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a continuous sequence or streak of five years. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and acceptable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "five years running" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to highlight continuous occurrences over a five-year period. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and general communication. Predominantly found in reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it conveys consistency and persistence. While interchangeable with alternatives such as "five consecutive years" or "for the past five years", it's essential to ensure its accurate use in continuous scenarios to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

five consecutive years

Emphasizes the unbroken sequence of the five-year period.

five years in a row

Highlights the repetition of the event or achievement.

five straight years

Another way to emphasize the uninterrupted nature of the period.

for the past five years

Focuses on the period leading up to the present.

in the last five years

Similar to "for the past five years" but with a slightly broader scope.

during the last five years

Specifies that the action happened at some point within the five-year time frame.

over a five-year period

Emphasizes the duration of the period.

throughout the five-year span

Emphasizes the entirety of the five-year period.

annually for five years

Focuses on the yearly occurrence.

for a five-year duration

Highlights the length of time.

FAQs

How can I use "five years running" in a sentence?

You can use "five years running" to describe a situation that has occurred continuously for five years. For example, "The company has achieved record profits for "five years running"".

What are some alternatives to "five years running"?

Alternatives include phrases like "five consecutive years", "for the past five years", or "five years in a row".

Is it grammatically correct to say "five years running"?

Yes, "five years running" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something has happened continuously for five years.

In what contexts is "five years running" typically used?

"Five years running" is often used in contexts involving awards, achievements, or ongoing events to emphasize the sustained nature of the accomplishment or occurrence.