month after month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "month after month" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express a repetitive or ongoing action that occurs every month. Example: My grandmother has been sending me letters month after month, keeping me updated on her life in the nursing home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Month after month attempted assassinations increased.

Yale University

Then, month after month, nothing happened.

The New York Times - Magazine

The result: Claims lingered month after month.

The Washington Post

But month after month, the number grew.

The New York Times

But month after month, those numbers fell.

The Guardian - Opinion

With race, you can report month after month after month and come to no final conclusion.

The New York Times - Magazine

Since then they have continued unabated, month after month.

The Guardian - Money

And yet, month after month, she kept coming by.

The New York Times

And yet month after month the war grew less popular.

The New Yorker

So this went on – day after day, month after month.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Stringing out the health care reform process for month-after-month-after-month enabled fanatical ("keep government out of my Medicare") opposition to be fomented.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "month after month" to emphasize the repetitive and often tedious nature of an ongoing situation or event. For example, "The company reported declining sales month after month, leading to significant losses."

Common error

While "month after month" is perfectly acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "on a monthly basis" or "in successive months" in professional or academic contexts to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "month after month" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the frequency and duration of an action or state, emphasizing its repetitive nature over a series of months. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "month after month" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that describes a repetitive action or state occurring over successive months. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, indicating its prevalence in reporting ongoing trends or situations. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional or academic contexts. When using "month after month", ensure it accurately conveys the recurring and persistent nature of the event you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

month in month out

A less common, slightly more emphatic way of saying "month after month", implying a sense of monotony or relentlessness.

month by month

Emphasizes a gradual progression or change that happens with each passing month.

each passing month

Emphasizes the continuous flow of time and the action occurring with each month that goes by.

every month

Focuses on the regularity of the action occurring each month, removing the sense of ongoing duration.

for months on end

Highlights the prolonged duration of the action, emphasizing its continuation.

consistently each month

Highlights the unwavering nature of the action happening every month.

regularly each month

Stresses the habitual aspect of the action's recurrence.

on a monthly basis

A more formal way of saying "every month", suitable for business or official contexts.

in successive months

Highlights the sequential order of the months in which the action takes place.

over several months

Focuses on the span of multiple months, but without necessarily implying repetition.

FAQs

How can I use "month after month" in a sentence?

Use "month after month" to describe something that happens repeatedly over a series of months. For example, "She practiced piano "month after month", improving her skills considerably."

What are some alternatives to "month after month"?

Alternatives include "every month", "month by month", or "on a monthly basis", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "month after month" formal or informal?

"Month after month" is generally considered neutral in tone. While appropriate for most contexts, more formal alternatives like "in successive months" may be preferable in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "month after month" and "month by month"?

"Month after month" emphasizes repetition, while "month by month" often implies a gradual change or progression. For example, "The project was delayed "month after month"" suggests repeated delays, while "The project progressed "month by month"" suggests gradual advancement.