in a row when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a row when" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a sequence of events or occurrences, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "I was surprised to see three meetings scheduled in a row when I thought we had only one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Imagine trying to get 27 "heads" in a row when flipping a coin).

The New York Times

Nalbandian began pressing to finish rallies, losing two in a row when he tried drop shots.

The New York Times - Sports

"We had two games in a row when we could have folded our tents.

The New York Times - Sports

The Falcons (2-6) lostheirir fifth in a row when a late rally fell short.

The New York Times - Sports

Europe had actually won eight matches in a row when marching from 3-0 behind to 8-3 in front.

The Guardian - Sport

For three years in a row, when the heat came on, the radiator in the apartment upstairs leaked.

The New York Times

Gionta scored for the third game in a row when he added Montreal's second power-play goal 6 24 into the third.

The New York Times - Sports

What we really need, I think, are three or four days in a row when the market moves by less than one per cent.

The New Yorker

They took over and sheltered al-Qaeda, leading to the Afghanistan's third war in a row, when the United States invaded in 2001.

The Washington Post

"Then, suddenly, we had three years in a row when a horse came in here after winning the Derby and Preakness, and the crowds doubled.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A chimpanzee might not manage a test of this level of complexity, but could, maybe, work out the idea of three-in-a-row when only a single row was involved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sequential events, consider restructuring your sentence for clarity. Replacing "in a row when" with more precise connectors like "after" or "following" can enhance readability.

Common error

Be mindful of redundant phrasing. Using "in a row when" can often be simplified by removing "when" and relying on context to imply the temporal relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a row when" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to specify the condition under which a sequence of events occurs. However, based on Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically questionable, making it less effective in formal writing. Examples show it often describes a sequence or series linked to a particular moment or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a row when" is used to describe sequential events occurring under specific circumstances. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically questionable. While frequently found in news and sports contexts, it's advisable to consider more precise phrasing for clarity. Alternatives like using "consecutively" or restructuring the sentence to avoid redundancy can enhance the grammatical correctness and readability. Despite its common occurrence, particularly in news sources, using the phrase with care and awareness of its potential drawbacks is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consecutively when

Replaces "in a row" with "consecutively", emphasizing the uninterrupted sequence of events.

successively when

Similar to "consecutively", this highlights the following of one event directly after another.

one after another when

Emphasizes the sequence by stating events happen "one after another".

in succession when

Formal alternative to "in a row", implying a structured or ordered sequence.

serially when

Suggests events occur in a series, one following the other.

running when

Implies events are happening continuously without interruption.

straight when

Informal way to say something happened without a break.

back-to-back when

Typically used for closely related events happening immediately after each other.

on end when

Emphasizes the duration of the sequence without pauses.

chronologically when

Highlights the sequence of events in the order they occurred.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "in a row"?

The phrase "in a row" should typically be followed by a noun or verb describing the sequential occurrences, without the addition of "when". For example, "He won three games in a row."

Can I use "consecutively" instead of "in a row"?

Yes, you can use "consecutively" as a more formal alternative to "in a row" to emphasize the uninterrupted sequence of events.

What are some common mistakes when using the phrase "in a row"?

A common mistake is adding unnecessary words like "when" after "in a row". Stick to the core phrase to avoid redundancy and ensure clarity.

How can I improve the clarity of sentences using "in a row"?

To improve clarity, ensure the sequence being described is unambiguous and that the sentence structure supports the temporal relationship. Avoid ambiguous phrasing by removing the word "when" after "in a row".