in rapid sequence

USAGE SUMMARY

"in rapid sequence" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something happens quickly, or in succession. For example: "The pages of the book flipped by in rapid sequence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It left me agog: exhilarated, appalled, squeamish and charmed, in rapid sequence and sometimes all at once.

The New York Times - Arts

The photographs are then compared or viewed in rapid sequence as a motion picture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The effect of choosing these particular dates is that Figes tells the story of two tragedies that occurred in rapid sequence.

The Guardian

Again, the movie camera is actually taking a long strip of still images in rapid sequence, all from slightly different vantage points.

The Guardian - Film

In Keynes's analogy, when an engine is running properly, each stroke of a piston gets the next piston ready to fire, which in turn gets another piston ready, in rapid sequence.

The New York Times

Eight cameras capture and map the human face in rapid sequence, creating 96 high-resolution photographs from every angle, which can then be processed into a digital 3D model.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

So Oxford Nanopore has also been looking at an alternative approach, called exonuclease sequencing, in conjunction with Illumina, an American firm that is the market leader in rapid sequencing.

The Economist

The standard AB paradigm also affords us the opportunity to examine potential differences in T1 detection for plants and animals, an additional measure of how detectable plants and animals were in rapid sequences of images.

CBE Life Sciences Education

But here's the paradox: thanks to the mechanical nature of the recording medium (still photos, or digits, strung together in rapid succession), playing with sequence and representation is almost irresistible.

The New Yorker

Recent advances in DNA sequencers are accelerating genome sequencing, especially in microbes, and complete and draft genomes from various species have been sequenced in rapid succession.

DNA Research

■ This is the first formal comparison of succinylcholine and rocuronium for use in emergent rapid sequence induction intubation in intensive care in an adequately powered randomized controlled trial.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that occur closely together in time, use "in rapid sequence" to emphasize the speed and immediacy of their occurrence. It's suitable for describing a series of actions or events.

Common error

Avoid using "in rapid sequence" when the order of events is not just fast but also crucial. If the specific order matters, use phrases that highlight the causality or dependency between the events instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in rapid sequence" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to describe how an action or event occurs. It indicates that something happens quickly and consecutively. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in rapid sequence" is a versatile phrase used to describe events occurring quickly and consecutively. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources like news, science, and encyclopedias make it a reliable choice for emphasizing the speed and immediacy of a series of actions or events. While alternatives such as "in quick succession" exist, understanding the specific context will ensure the most appropriate selection. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize not just speed but the consecutive nature of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in rapid succession

Synonymous, emphasizes the immediate following of events.

in quick succession

Replaces "rapid" with "quick", emphasizing speed.

in swift order

Uses "swift" and "order" to suggest a fast and organized sequence.

one after the other quickly

More descriptive, breaking down the meaning explicitly.

in short order

Implies that something is done quickly and efficiently.

in fast progression

Focuses on the forward movement of events at a high pace.

in speedy fashion

Highlights the speed at which events occur.

in close order

Emphasizes the proximity of events in time.

without delay

Suggests no time is wasted between events.

forthwith

Implies immediate action following a previous one.

FAQs

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

You can use "in rapid sequence" to describe events that happen quickly, one after another. For example: "The lights flickered "in rapid sequence" before the power went out."

What's a good alternative to "in rapid sequence"?

Alternatives include "in quick succession", "in swift order", or "in rapid succession", all suggesting a series of quick, consecutive events.

Is "in rapid sequence" formal or informal?

"In rapid sequence" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it versatile for various types of writing.

When is it inappropriate to use "in rapid sequence"?

Avoid using "in rapid sequence" if the events aren't closely related in time. If the events are spread out or the timing is not a key factor, a different phrase may be more appropriate.