for the third consecutive year

USAGE SUMMARY

'for the third consecutive year' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to events or accomplishments that have happened three consecutive years in a row. For example: "Our school has won the state championship for the third consecutive year!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Coach Jeff Hamilton was named the Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For the third consecutive year, Cornell has posted a record-high number of applications for admission.

Cornell University

For the third consecutive year Go Ask Alice! is name best of the web by Healthline.

Columbia University

He was a First Team All-American for the third consecutive year.

Columbia University

Princeton won the women's title for the third consecutive year, then lost to Kansas State.

The New York Times

The host for the third consecutive year will be the actor (and author) Steve Martin.

The New York Times - Books

For the third consecutive year, Rafter opened the United States Open with a five-set match.

The New York Times - Sports

For the third consecutive year, he has surpassed 3,000 yards passing.

The New York Times - Sports

Emigration fell for the third consecutive year, to 18,800 people.

The New York Times

But early reports indicate that syphilis rates jumped in 2003 for the third consecutive year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Meanwhile, CNN came in third place for the third consecutive year.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using this phrase. While broadly understood, more formal contexts might benefit from synonyms like "in its third successive year" for added sophistication.

Common error

Avoid using "for the third consecutive year" if the event occurred non-consecutively. It specifically implies a three-year unbroken streak. If the event occurred sporadically, use a different phrasing such as "for three years" or "in three different years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the third consecutive year" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the duration and frequency of an action or state, specifying that it has occurred continuously for three years. Ludwig examples shows usage in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for the third consecutive year" is a versatile phrase used to highlight that an event or achievement has occurred repeatedly over the past three years without interruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase that appears most frequently in news and media outlets, with significant presence also in academic and formal business writing. Alternatives like "three years in a row" or "for three straight years" offer similar meaning but may vary in formality. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being repeated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three years in a row

Replaces "consecutive year" with the more informal "years in a row".

for three straight years

Substitutes "consecutive" with "straight", implying the same unbroken sequence.

three successive years

Replaces "consecutive" with "successive" to denote a similar meaning.

in its third year running

Uses a more dynamic phrasing, indicating an ongoing sequence.

marking the third year in succession

Employs a formal tone, replacing "consecutive" with "in succession".

third year on the trot

An informal, mainly British, equivalent to three years running.

for the past three years

Focuses on the time period of the last three years.

over a three-year period

Highlights the duration of the event over the span of three years.

consistently for three years

Emphasizes the consistency of the action over the three-year timeframe.

spanning three years consecutively

Highlights the continuous span of three years.

FAQs

How can I use "for the third consecutive year" in a sentence?

You can use "for the third consecutive year" to describe an event or achievement that has occurred in each of the past three years. For example, "The company reported record profits "for the third consecutive year"".

What are some alternatives to saying "for the third consecutive year"?

Alternatives include "three years in a row", "for three straight years", or "in its third year running". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is it correct to say "for the third straight year" instead of "for the third consecutive year"?

Yes, "for the third straight year" is a correct and commonly used alternative. "Straight" and "consecutive" are often interchangeable in this context.

What is the difference between "for the third consecutive year" and "in the past three years"?

"For the third consecutive year" emphasizes that the event occurred in an unbroken sequence, whereas "in the past three years" simply indicates that the event happened at some point during that period, without necessarily implying continuity.