four years in a row

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "four years in a row" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has happened consecutively for four years without interruption. Example: "The team has won the championship title for four years in a row, showcasing their dominance in the league."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Four years in a row," McDonnell responded.

The Washington Post

"Four years in a row they've done that".

The Guardian - Sport

High-school test scores in Kalamazoo have improved four years in a row.

The New York Times

Four years in a row, Democrats and Republicans came together to balance the budget.

The New York Times

America's deficits have exceeded $1 trillion for four years in a row.

The Economist

At last count, in 1996, deaths had outpaced births for four years in a row.

The Economist

From 1940 to 1943, the birth rate rose four years in a row.

The New York Times

The number has risen four years in a row after a long-term decline.

The Guardian

The Dolphins and the Hawks have played for the CUNY title four years in a row.

The New York Times - Sports

That meant some of those regions had bleached four years in a row.

The Guardian

Maier regained the title he had won four years in a row.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "four years in a row" to clearly emphasize the consecutive nature of an event or achievement, highlighting consistency and sustained effort.

Common error

Avoid using "four years in a row" when the events are not truly consecutive. Ensure there are no interruptions or gaps in the sequence of years.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "four years in a row" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration and continuity of an action or state. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase specifies that something has occurred consecutively for four years without interruption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "four years in a row" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the consecutive nature of an event or achievement. It signifies that something has occurred without interruption for the past four years. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability and the phrase appears frequently in news, sports, and academic contexts. Alternatives include "four straight years" and "for the past four years consecutively". When using this phrase, ensure the events are truly consecutive to avoid errors. It is a neutral phrase suitable for various registers, making it a versatile addition to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

four straight years

A more informal and concise alternative, suitable for casual contexts.

for the past four years consecutively

Emphasizes the period from past until present, adding a formal tone.

in four successive years

Highlights the order and sequence of the years, offering a slightly more formal tone.

over a four-year continuous period

Focuses on the duration of the four years as a single block of time.

across four years running

Suggests a continuous and ongoing action or event over the four years.

each of the last four years

Focuses on each individual year within the four-year span.

the last four annual periods

A business oriented alternative to indicate a financial time period

through four annual cycles

Highlights the yearly recurrence of the event or action.

four annual rounds

Conveys more indirectly the meaning of repeating the same event every year

during four consecutive trips around the sun

A more poetic and descriptive alternative, using "trips around the sun" for years.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something happened "four years in a row"?

It means that something has occurred consecutively, without interruption, for each of the past four years. It emphasizes the consistency and unbroken sequence of the event.

What can I say instead of "four years in a row"?

You can use alternatives like "four straight years", "four consecutive years", or "for the past four years consecutively" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "for four years in a row"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase indicates that something has happened continuously over the course of four years.

What is the difference between "four years in a row" and "every four years"?

"Four years in a row" means something happened in each of the last four years consecutively. "Every four years" means something happens at intervals of four years, but not necessarily in consecutive years.