four years running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "four years running" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been happening continuously for four years, often in the context of awards, achievements, or ongoing events. Example: "The company has been recognized as the best in its industry for four years running."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Four years running, and it still feels great.

The New Yorker

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

The Economist

Behrens sang Brünnhilde four years running at Bayreuth and inevitably her interpretation deepened with each repetition.

Independent

For four years running, Pentagon officials fought Congress, trying to stop the Osprey.

The New York Times

"We have been measuring customer satisfaction for four years running," he said.

The New York Times

"I have no intention of spending four years running for office," Mr. Bloomberg said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Vicente Fox Quesada spent three years running for president.

The New York Times

Crime has dropped five years running.

The Guardian

The economy has grown strongly for six years running.

The Economist

Mexico has topped the list for five years running.

The New York Times

McCall took charge last month after seven years running easyJet.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While acceptable in most contexts, "four years running" might be replaced with "for four consecutive years" in highly formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "four years running" when the action or event did not occur in each of the four years without interruption. If there were gaps, use a different phrasing to accurately reflect the time period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "four years running" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the duration and continuity of an event or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correctly used to describe something that has occurred without interruption for four consecutive years.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "four years running" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that an event or achievement has occurred continuously for four consecutive years. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to emphasize the consistency and longevity of a particular situation. While acceptable in most scenarios, formal writing might benefit from alternatives like "for four consecutive years". Understanding its function and purpose ensures its appropriate and effective use in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for four consecutive years

Replaces "running" with "consecutive years" for a more formal tone.

four years in a row

Uses the idiom "in a row" instead of "running", maintaining the meaning of uninterrupted sequence.

over four straight years

Substitutes "straight" for "consecutive", keeping the sense of unbroken duration.

during four successive years

Employs "successive" to convey the continuous nature of the four-year period.

throughout four continuous years

Uses "continuous" to emphasize the uninterrupted aspect of the four-year duration.

spanning four years consecutively

Shifts the focus to the duration, highlighting the span of four years in a row.

for a quadrennial period

Introduces a more formal term, "quadrennial", to refer to the four-year span.

in four annual iterations

Breaks down the period into "annual iterations", stressing the yearly repetition.

across four back-to-back years

Employs "back-to-back" for a more informal way to express the uninterrupted sequence.

covering four sequential years

Uses "sequential" to highlight the order of the years in the four-year duration.

FAQs

What does the phrase "four years running" mean?

The phrase "four years running" means that something has happened continuously for four years in a row without interruption.

How can I use "four years running" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an event or achievement that has been sustained over four consecutive years. For example, "The company has been the market leader "four years running"".

What are some alternatives to "four years running"?

Alternatives include "for four consecutive years", "four years in a row", or "over four straight years". All of these alternatives emphasize the continuous nature of the period.

Is it grammatically correct to say "four years running"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. However, in very formal contexts, "for four consecutive years" might be preferred.