in a succession of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a succession of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a series of events or actions that occur one after another. Example: The team went through a succession of coaches in the past few years, but they never seemed to find the right fit. In this sentence, "in a succession of" is used to convey that multiple coaches were hired and then replaced, demonstrating a pattern of turnover.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The U.S. REITs grew in a succession of booms.

Yale University

Hindley also found consolation in a succession of prison relationships.

The Guardian

Their lives are caught in a succession of snapshots.

The Guardian

From there, the room unfolds in a succession of reading areas stocked with books.

Princeton University

But H. and John Beague were probably just two in a succession of owners.

Princeton University

Yet he is also the latest in a succession of prime ministers who are younger siblings.

The Guardian - Opinion

The deceptions were carried out, he said, in a succession of letters and meetings.

The New York Times

He lived in a succession of migrant camps and attended school sporadically.

Britannica

- He was brought up in a succession of working-class bohemian communes.

The Guardian - Film

The history of this period was recorded in a succession of royal chronicles.

Britannica

This is the latest in a succession of his underwater installations.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a succession of" to clearly indicate that events or items are following one another in a specific order. This phrase adds emphasis to the sequence.

Common error

Avoid using "in a succession of" when the order isn't important or when the items are not directly related. Using it loosely can weaken the impact of the sequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a succession of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, adverb, or adjective. It indicates that elements are arranged or occur sequentially. Ludwig examples showcase its broad applicability in describing ordered events or items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

22%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a succession of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe a sequence of events or items. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed in various contexts. Its strength lies in its ability to emphasize the sequential order of what is being described. While its register is generally neutral to formal, it appears most frequently in news, encyclopedias and academic sources. To ensure clarity, use it when the sequence is relevant and avoid overuse in contexts where order is not important. This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of its usage, alternatives, and potential pitfalls, empowering you to use it effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a series of

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes a planned or organized sequence.

one after another

Focuses on the sequential occurrence without necessarily implying a formal arrangement.

following each other

Highlights the chronological order and direct sequence.

in a string of

Implies a connected series, often of related items or events.

in sequence

More concise and formal, indicating a specific order.

consecutively

Emphasizes the uninterrupted sequence of events.

successively

Similar to consecutively, highlighting uninterrupted sequence.

in turn

Suggests a cyclical or rotational order.

in chronological order

Specifically emphasizes the order based on time.

one by one

Focuses on the individual elements within the sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "in a succession of" in a sentence?

Use "in a succession of" to show that events or things follow one after another, such as, "The company released "in a succession of new products" to boost sales."

What phrases are similar to "in a succession of"?

Similar phrases include "in a series of", "one after another", or "following each other", all indicating sequential order.

Is it better to use "in a series of" or "in a succession of"?

Both "in a series of" and "in a succession of" are correct and often interchangeable, but "in a succession of" may emphasize the continuous flow or sequence slightly more.

Can "in a succession of" be used for both events and objects?

Yes, "in a succession of" can describe both events, such as "in a succession of meetings", and objects, such as "in a succession of paintings".