for the third year running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the third year running" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an event has happened repeatedly for an extended period of time. Example sentence: Our company has seen record profits for the third year running.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has, for the third year running, kept that pledge.

The Economist

But FDI has now declined for the third year running.

The Economist

Their Christmas was cancelled for the third year running.

The Guardian

The Welsh musicians picked up the gong for the third year running.

Independent

The EU's beef production will fall for the third year running.

The Economist

Bottega Veneta will sponsor the Hammer Museum's Gala in the Garden, for the third year running.

The New York Times

Yesterday, Spain's civil servants heard that, for the third year running, their wages were being frozen.

The Guardian

Private sector pay increased faster than public sector earnings for the third year running.

The Guardian

Great to see it at the ICA for the third year running.

The Guardian - Arts

Nicholas Kirkwood was crowned accessory designer of the year for the third year running.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For the third year running, Peru is set to overshoot its fiscal-deficit target agreed on with the IMF.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the third year running" to emphasize the persistence or consistency of a trend or event. It's particularly effective when highlighting achievements, declines, or ongoing situations.

Common error

Avoid using "running" in this phrase as a direct verb. Instead of saying "the event is running for the third year", use the complete phrase "for the third year running" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the third year running" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the duration and repetition of an action or state over three consecutive years, as Ludwig examples confirm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for the third year running" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has happened consecutively for three years. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and business. While alternatives exist, "for the third year running" effectively conveys the message of persistence and continuity. When using this phrase, remember to maintain clarity and avoid misusing "running" as a direct verb. By understanding its function and purpose, you can confidently incorporate "for the third year running" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three years in a row

Uses a simpler, more direct phrasing to express the same sequence of events.

for three consecutive years

Replaces 'running' with 'consecutive' for a slightly more formal tone.

this is the third straight year

Emphasizes the current year as part of a continuous sequence.

the third successive year

Substitutes 'running' with 'successive', maintaining a formal register.

continuing for a third year

Focuses on the continuation of the event into the current year.

a three-year streak

Uses a more concise, idiomatic expression to indicate repeated success.

for the past three years consecutively

Adds emphasis on the temporal aspect and consecutive nature of the event.

marking its third year in succession

Emphasizes the ordinal position and uninterrupted sequence of the event.

extending into its third year

Highlights the prolonged duration of the event.

achieving this for the third straight year

Focuses on the accomplishment being repeated over consecutive years.

FAQs

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

You can use "for the third year running" to indicate that something has happened repeatedly for three consecutive years. For example, "Our company has been recognized as an industry leader for the third year running."

What are some alternatives to "for the third year running"?

You can use alternatives like "three years in a row", "for three consecutive years", or "this is the third straight year".

Is it correct to say "in the third year running" instead of "for the third year running"?

While understandable, "for the third year running" is the idiomatic and more widely accepted phrasing. "In the third year running" is less common and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "for the third year running" and "for the past three years"?

"For the third year running" emphasizes the consecutive nature of the event, highlighting its recurrence in the present year. "For the past three years" simply indicates that something has occurred over the last three years, without necessarily implying that it is continuing.