four times in a row

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "four times in a row" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something has occurred repeatedly, without interruption. For example, you might say: "She won the championship four times in a row."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Douglas sneezed four times in a row.

The New Yorker

"They have beaten us four times in a row".

The New York Times - Sports

We were locked out four times in a row".

The New York Times

"It fell four times in a row," he said.

The Guardian

"Four times in a row is unique," said Fleming.

The Guardian - Books

"Mad Men," set in the 1960s, has won the award four times in a row.

The New York Times - Arts

So Bob ended up crossing four times in a row, and I went cross both times.

The New York Times

"You don't watch it four times in a row," he says.

The New Yorker

I guess that happens when someone beats you four times in a row in finals.

Independent

Can you do it three or four times in a row.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As audiences shuttle in and out, "Hopscotch" performers keep repeating their scenes, twenty-four tines in a row.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "four times in a row" to clearly indicate that an event has occurred repeatedly without interruption, especially when emphasizing a streak or pattern.

Common error

Avoid using "four times in a row" when the repetition isn't significant. Overusing it can dilute its impact. Only use it when emphasizing a streak is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "four times in a row" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency and consecutive nature of an action. As Ludwig AI highlights, it emphasizes the repeated occurrence without interruption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "four times in a row" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the consecutive and uninterrupted nature of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. It's commonly found in news, sports, and academic contexts. Remember to use it when the consecutive nature of the event truly matters. For stylistic variation, consider alternatives like "four consecutive times" or "four straight times". Be mindful of overuse and ensure the context warrants the emphasis on repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

four consecutive times

Replaces "in a row" with "consecutive", emphasizing the unbroken sequence.

four times consecutively

Rearranges the words while maintaining the core meaning of unbroken sequence.

four back-to-back times

Stresses the immediate succession of the events.

four straight times

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the sequence, using a more informal tone.

four times running

Conveys the idea of continuous repetition in a slightly more colloquial way.

four sequential times

Emphasizes the order and arrangement of events in a series.

on four successive occasions

Uses more formal language to indicate a series of events happening one after another.

in four successive instances

Highlights the individual occurrences within the unbroken series.

four recurrent times

Highlights the repeating nature of the events, adding a sense of regularity.

four times on the trot

Uses a British idiom to express a series of consecutive events.

FAQs

How can I use "four times in a row" in a sentence?

Use "four times in a row" to describe something that has happened repeatedly without interruption, such as "The team won the championship "four times in a row"".

What are some alternatives to "four times in a row"?

You can use alternatives like "four consecutive times", "four straight times", or "on four successive occasions" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "four times in a row"?

While grammatically correct, using "four times in a row" might be inappropriate if the context doesn't warrant emphasizing the consecutive nature of the events. Choose a simpler phrasing if repetition is incidental.

What's the difference between ""four times in a row"" and "four separate times"?

"Four times in a row" implies a continuous, uninterrupted sequence, whereas "four separate times" simply indicates that something occurred on four different occasions, not necessarily consecutively.