for three consecutive terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for three consecutive terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a sequence of three terms that follow one after the other without interruption, often in academic or formal contexts. Example: "The student maintained a high GPA for three consecutive terms, demonstrating consistent academic performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He was president of the Stock Exchange Luncheon Club for three consecutive terms.

The New York Times

Only once since the death of Franklin Roosevelt has a party kept the Presidency for three consecutive terms — when George H. W. Bush defeated Michael Dukakis, in 1988.

The New Yorker

He joined the local Republican club as a hobby, and was elected mayor of his hometown in 1995, serving for three consecutive terms.

The New York Times

Indira Gandhi served as prime minister of India for three consecutive terms (1966 77) and a fourth term from 1980 until she was assassinated in 1984.

Britannica

The US electoral college will give Democrats an in-built advantage over Republicans in 2016, although it is extremely rare for a party to hold the White House for three consecutive terms.

The Guardian

Since 1985, when I became the first democratically elected mayor of La Paz in 40 years, I served for three consecutive terms, and an interrupted fourth term (1996-97).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Before Mr. Lazio, the Second District elected a Democrat, Thomas Downey, for nine consecutive terms.

The New York Times

Republicans have now been elected mayor of New York for four consecutive terms.

The New York Times

Rafsanjani played a key role in the revolution and later served as president for two consecutive terms.

The Guardian

"For six consecutive terms in the 1980s," they wrote, "one or more of Powell's four clerks was gay".

The New York Times

(Massachusetts voters elected Republicans as governor for four consecutive terms from 1990 through 2002, before the Democrat Deval Patrick won office in 2006).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for three consecutive terms", ensure the context clearly establishes what a "term" refers to, such as a legislative session, academic semester, or organizational leadership period. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience understands the length or nature of a "term" without explicit clarification. Always define the timeframe (e.g., "academic year", "four-year presidential term") to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for three consecutive terms" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. Ludwig AI indicates that it describes the duration or extent of an action or state, specifying that it occurred over three uninterrupted periods.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for three consecutive terms" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies an uninterrupted duration across three periods. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and professional settings. While "consecutive" indicates a sequence without gaps, it's crucial to define what constitutes a 'term' for clarity. Alternatives include "three terms in a row" or "three straight terms", offering stylistic variations. The phrase is widely understood and applicable in formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three terms in a row

Replaces "consecutive" with "in a row" for a more informal tone.

three straight terms

Uses "straight" instead of "consecutive" for brevity and a slightly more casual feel.

for three terms running

Employs "running" to indicate the continuous nature of the terms.

during three successive terms

Substitutes "consecutive" with the more formal "successive".

over three continuous terms

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

spanning three sequential terms

Uses "spanning" to highlight the duration and "sequential" for the order.

for a period of three consecutive terms

Adds "for a period of" to emphasize the length of the duration.

through three back-to-back terms

Uses "back-to-back" to create a more visual image of the terms following each other closely.

in three uninterrupted terms

Focuses on the absence of breaks between the terms with "uninterrupted".

for the duration of three consecutive terms

Rephrases to emphasize the duration as the key aspect.

FAQs

What does "for three consecutive terms" mean?

The phrase "for three consecutive terms" indicates that something has occurred or been maintained across three successive periods or durations, without any interruption. It is commonly used in politics, academics, or organizational contexts to describe continuous service or achievement.

How to use "for three consecutive terms" in a sentence?

You can use "for three consecutive terms" to describe someone holding a position or achieving something repeatedly. For example, "She served as president "for three consecutive terms"." or "The company showed increased profits "for three consecutive terms"."

What are some alternatives to "for three consecutive terms"?

Some alternatives include "three terms in a row", "three straight terms", "during three successive terms", or "over three continuous terms". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "during three consecutive terms" instead of "for three consecutive terms"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "During three consecutive terms" emphasizes that the action or state occurred within those terms, while "for three consecutive terms" emphasizes the duration itself.