for three years running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for three years running" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to emphasize that something has happened or been true for a period of three consecutive years. For example: "He has won the Most Valuable Player award for three years running."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

For three years running, the House has passed a bill to close the loophole.

The New York Times

Talley has been ringmaster of this sartorial circus for three years running.

The New York Times

As a result, investment in renewables has outpaced investments in fossil fuels for three years running.

The Guardian - Books

The number of nominees, in fact, has been declining two per year for three years running.

The New York Times - Books

Originally it said that Surrey came top for tourism, transport and travel for three years running.

The Guardian

Prices have held steady for three years running for a pound-and-a-quarter lobster: $14 live, $15 cooked.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The economy has grown strongly for six years running.

The Economist

Even the post office has been in profit for four years running.

The Economist

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "for three years running" to emphasize consistency or persistence over a specific period. It adds a sense of unbroken continuation to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "for three years running" with future tense verbs. It describes past or present continuous actions, not future ones. For future scenarios, rephrase to indicate expectation or projection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for three years running" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the duration and manner in which an action or state has occurred, specifically highlighting the consecutive nature of the event over a three-year period. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "for three years running" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote that something has occurred consecutively over the past three years. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase effectively emphasizes consistency and persistence. When writing, use it to underscore unbroken sequences but avoid future tense. Consider alternatives like "for three consecutive years" for formal contexts. Be mindful of using appropriate tenses to prevent errors, and leverage it to add impact to your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

For the past three consecutive years

Emphasizes the unbroken sequence of the three years.

For three straight years

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the three-year period.

For three successive years

Focuses on the sequential aspect of the years.

Three years in a row

A more informal way to express the same idea.

Three years consecutively

Highlights the consecutive nature of the years in question.

During the last three years continuously

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the activity over the three-year period.

In each of the last three years

Focuses on individual years within the three-year span.

Over a three-year period without interruption

Stresses the lack of any breaks in the three-year duration.

For a trio of years in succession

A slightly more formal or literary way of saying it.

The last three years without a break

Highlights the absence of any pause or gap in the three-year timeframe.

FAQs

How can I use "for three years running" in a sentence?

Use "for three years running" to indicate that something has happened consecutively over the past three years. For example, "Our company has increased its profits "for three years running"".

What's the difference between "for three years running" and "in the last three years"?

"For three years running" implies a consecutive streak, while "in the last three years" simply refers to a period without necessarily being consecutive. For instance, you might say someone has been promoted "for three years running", or they have received awards in the last three years without winning one each year.

Is there a more formal alternative to "for three years running"?

Yes, a more formal alternative would be "for three consecutive years" or "for three successive years". These phrases convey the same meaning but are suitable for formal or professional contexts. For example: "The organization has achieved its goals "for three consecutive years"".

Can I use "for three years running" to describe something that will happen in the future?

No, the phrase "for three years running" is used to describe something that has already happened or is currently happening over a period of three consecutive years. To describe something that will happen in the future, you would need to rephrase, perhaps using a prediction or expectation.