in alphabetical sequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in alphabetical sequence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the arrangement of items or information in the order of the alphabet. Example: "Please list the names of the participants in alphabetical sequence for easier reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The second is the divided catalog, still in alphabetical sequence but with subject entries in a separate file.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In the 20th-century encyclopaedias that provided indexes, the reader was invariably advised to read the guides to their use, because the index had become a sophisticated tool that offered a wealth of information in one alphabetical sequence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bandini's Fons memorabilium universi ("The Source of Noteworthy Facts of the Universe"), though classified, used separate alphabetical orders for more than a quarter of its sections, and the Italian Domenico Nani Mirabelli's Polyanthea nova (1503; "The New Polyanthea") was arranged in one alphabetical sequence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first is the dictionary catalog, in which author, title, subject, and any other entries are filed in a single alphabetical sequence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over 2 decades of searching for an anticancer vitamin, we had seemed to skip over vitamin D in its proper alphabetical sequence.

American Journal of Epidemiology

In the SI condition, they were to ignore the letter on the screen and instead generate a letter internally by continuing the alphabetical sequence in their head.

Biological Psychology

The key to their success was, however, their retention of the single alphabetical sequence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this condition, participants had to ignore the distracting random letters and mentally continue the correct alphabetical sequence whilst carrying on with the classification based on the imagined letters.

Cerebral Cortex

12 Chinese undergraduates were asked to recite overtly but gently numerical and alphabetical sequences forward and backward.

Brain Research

I'll choose three in each category--in alphabetical order.

Los Angeles Times

The treelike structure of hyperlinked information contrasts with the linear structure of a print encyclopaedia or dictionary, for example, whose contents can be physically accessed only by means of a static, linear sequence of entries in alphabetical order.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in alphabetical sequence", ensure it clearly communicates the intended order, especially when dealing with lists or data that benefit from easy lookup.

Common error

Avoid using "in alphabetical sequence" when a chronological or hierarchical order is more appropriate for the information being presented.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in alphabetical sequence" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the order in which something is arranged. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig showcase this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in alphabetical sequence" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe arranging items from A to Z. Ludwig confirms its usability and provides examples from different contexts. While less common than "in alphabetical order", it serves the same purpose of enhancing clarity and accessibility. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, ranging from encyclopedic entries to news articles. Knowing this allows for informed and versatile language use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in alphabetical order

Most common synonym with a slightly different word order.

alphabetical arrangement

Similar to "alphabetized order" but uses 'arrangement' instead of 'order'.

alphabetically sequenced

Replaces the preposition "in" with an adjective while keeping the core meaning intact.

arranged alphabetically

Focuses on the action of arranging, specifying that the arrangement is alphabetical.

ordered alphabetically

Uses the verb "ordered" to emphasize the action of sorting alphabetically.

alphabetized order

Uses a noun phrase to describe the alphabetical arrangement.

following alphabetical succession

Emphasizes the sequential nature of alphabetical order.

alphabetical listing

Highlights the listing aspect with an alphabetical attribute.

in ABC order

An informal and shortened way to express alphabetical ordering.

lexicographical order

A more technical term for alphabetical order, often used in computer science and linguistics.

FAQs

What does "in alphabetical sequence" mean?

The phrase "in alphabetical sequence" refers to arranging items or information according to the order of the letters in the alphabet, from A to Z.

How can I use "in alphabetical sequence" in a sentence?

You might say, "Please list the ingredients "in alphabetical sequence" for easy reference when preparing the recipe."

What is a good alternative to "in alphabetical sequence"?

A common alternative is "in alphabetical order", which carries the same meaning and is widely understood.

Is there a difference between saying "in alphabetical sequence" and "arranged alphabetically"?

While both phrases convey the same idea, "arranged alphabetically" emphasizes the action of arranging, whereas "in alphabetical sequence" simply describes the state of being in that order.