for a third consecutive term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a third consecutive term" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who is serving or has been elected to a position for three terms in a row without interruption. Example: "The mayor was re-elected for a third consecutive term, solidifying his position in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rousseff is ineligible to stand for a third consecutive term.

The Guardian

I didn't run for a third (consecutive) term.

The Guardian

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban seeks to win reelection for a third consecutive term this Sunday.

The Washington Post

Russian law currently prevents Putin for serving as president for a third consecutive term.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Erdogan was elected prime minister in June for a third consecutive term.

The New York Times

The Colombian constitution prevented Uribe from running for a third consecutive term as president.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After two terms as president, Mr. Putin could not run for a third consecutive term because of term limits.

The New York Times

Constitutionally barred from running for a third consecutive term, Lula handpicked his chief of staff, Dilma Rousseff, as his successor.

Britannica

Mr. Putin, who could not run for a third consecutive term under the Constitution, will leave office with Russia far stronger economically but with far less political pluralism.

The New York Times

Daniel Ortega is set for a third consecutive term as president of Nicaragua after winning more than 70% of the vote in early counting from Sunday's election.

The Guardian

Mr. Putin cannot run for a third consecutive term, according to the Russian constitution, and he has vowed to abide by that rule.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: While accurate, "for a third consecutive term" can sometimes sound repetitive. If the continuity is already clear, simply saying "for a third term" might suffice.

Common error

Avoid using "for a third consecutive term" when there's been an interruption in the sequence. "Consecutive" means following in unbroken order, so if someone served a term, took a break, and then served two more, they haven't served "for a third consecutive term".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a third consecutive term" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify the duration and continuity of holding a position or achieving a goal. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a third consecutive term" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI, primarily within news and encyclopedia contexts. It serves to emphasize the uninterrupted nature of holding a position or achieving a goal. While alternatives like "for three straight terms" exist, "for a third consecutive term" remains a clear and widely understood way to highlight continuous tenure. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring the sequence is truly unbroken. The phrase is applicable beyond just political elections; any situation involving three successive periods can warrant its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for three straight terms

Replaces "consecutive" with "straight", maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly more informal tone.

three terms in a row

Uses a simpler structure to express the same idea of uninterrupted terms.

serving a third successive term

Replaces "consecutive" with "successive", which is a synonym.

achieving a third continuous term

Replaces "consecutive" with "continuous", emphasizing the uninterrupted nature.

for the third term running

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the terms with the word "running".

in their third term consecutively

Changes the structure to focus on the person holding the term.

holding office for three consecutive terms

Specifies "holding office" to clarify the nature of the term.

winning a third term consecutively

Highlights the act of winning the election for the term.

reelected for a third term in succession

Focuses on the act of being reelected and uses "in succession".

in their third term without interruption

Specifies "without interruption" to emphasize the unbroken sequence.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "for a third consecutive term"?

Use "for a third consecutive term" to emphasize that someone has held a position for three terms in a row, without any interruption. This is often relevant in political or organizational contexts.

What are some alternative ways to say "for a third consecutive term"?

Alternatives include "for three straight terms", "three terms in a row", or "serving a third successive term". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Is there a grammatical difference between "for a third consecutive term" and "for a third term"?

The phrase "for a third consecutive term" stresses that the terms were served one after the other without any break. "For a third term" simply means the person is serving their third term, but it doesn't necessarily imply continuous service. The difference is emphasis on continuity.

Can "for a third consecutive term" be used in contexts other than political elections?

Yes, it can be used in any context where someone holds a position or achieves something for three successive periods. For example, "The company reported record profits for a third consecutive quarter."