in rotation

USAGE SUMMARY

"in rotation" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is usually used to mean that something is happening cyclically or repeatedly. For example, you could say, "We alternate teachers in rotation each week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several other vendors are in rotation.

The New York Times

They have the whole career in rotation.

The New Yorker

Each pair performs six dives in rotation.

The Guardian - Sport

Chants cursed, in rotation Ghirardi, Manenti, and Leonardi.

The Guardian - Sport

All four of the season's operas are now in rotation.

The New York Times

We expect to put his Classics back in rotation".

The New York Times - Sports

The Mingus tribute bands are in rotation here on Mondays.

The New Yorker

The Mingus tribute bands are in rotation on Mondays.

The New Yorker

He has no office, and visits his restaurants in rotation.

The Economist

(Since the show's inception, there have been 14 tenors; currently there are 6 in rotation).

The New York Times

They worked all morning in rotation, whisking, whisking, whisking the eggs into a gigantic fluffy meringue.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in rotation", ensure the context clearly indicates what items or activities are being cycled or alternated. For instance, "The songs are in rotation on the radio" is more descriptive than simply "The songs are in rotation".

Common error

Avoid using "in rotation" without specifying what is being rotated. Saying "The tasks are in rotation" is unclear; specify who is performing them or how the rotation works: "The tasks are in rotation among the team members".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in rotation" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action or state is occurring cyclically or repeatedly. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing scheduled events, rotating personnel, and recurring items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in rotation" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression indicating cyclical or recurring action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While versatile, it's essential to specify what exactly is "in rotation" to avoid ambiguity. Key synonyms include ""on a rotating basis"" and ""alternating"". The phrase sees frequent usage in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for general descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a rotating basis

Very similar in meaning, but slightly more formal and emphasizes the systematic change.

in turn

Highlights the sequential nature of the alternation, suggesting a specific order is followed.

on a recurring schedule

Emphasizes the scheduled nature of the recurrence, implying a set plan or timetable.

alternating

Focuses on the act of switching back and forth between different options.

cyclically

Highlights the recurring nature of the activity, emphasizing a complete cycle.

by turns

Similar to "in turn", but can also imply a less structured or predictable alternation.

periodically

Implies a recurrence at regular intervals, whether scheduled or not.

taking turns

Emphasizes the collaborative or cooperative aspect of alternating.

on a round-robin system

Specific to situations where each participant interacts with every other participant in turn.

in sequence

Focuses on following a specific order or arrangement.

FAQs

How can I use "in rotation" in a sentence?

You can use "in rotation" to describe items or people that are used or assigned on a recurring schedule. For example: "The guest chefs are "on a rotating basis", bringing new flavors each week" or "The nurses work "in shifts", so they are "on a recurring schedule"".

What does "in rotation" mean?

"In rotation" means something is being used or happening cyclically, repeatedly, or "alternating". It suggests a sequence or schedule where items or tasks are regularly changed or swapped.

Which is correct, "in rotation" or "on rotation"?

Both "in rotation" and "on rotation" are used, but "in rotation" is more common when describing items or events that are part of a cycle. "On rotation" is frequently used in medical contexts to describe doctors or medical students working in different departments as "part of their training".

What are some synonyms for "in rotation"?

Some synonyms for "in rotation" include ""on a rotating basis"", ""alternating"", "by turns", or ""on a recurring schedule"". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.