one after another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one after another" is perfectly acceptable in written English, and can be used to describe a series of events or steps that occur sequentially.
For example, "The children marched up the stairs one after another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One after another succeeds.

The New Yorker

But one after another withdrew.

The New York Times - Health

My steps one after another.

The New Yorker

He made one after another.

The New York Times - Sports

One after another, decisions emerged.

The Guardian - Film

They died one after another.

The Guardian - Sport

They come in Jeep one after another.

The Washington Post

Management, bigger jobs, one after another.

The Washington Post

Mother Teresa's undertakings continued, one after another.

The New York Times

I read them one after another.

The Guardian - Books

After that, they came one after another.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one after another" to clearly indicate sequential actions or events, particularly when emphasizing the continuous or repetitive nature of the sequence.

Common error

Avoid overuse in simple narratives where simpler alternatives like "then" or "next" would suffice. Using it excessively can make the writing sound repetitive or clunky.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one after another" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies verbs or clauses to describe how actions occur in a sequence. Ludwig AI's examples show this in various contexts, such as events unfolding or items appearing in a specific order.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one after another" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe sequential events or actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Science, indicating a neutral register. For alternative phrasing, consider "in succession", "sequentially", or "one by one", depending on the desired nuance. While generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in simple narratives for better clarity. This phrase is a reliable and frequently used way to express sequence in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one by one

Suggests a deliberate and individual approach to each item or event in the series.

following each other

Directly indicates the action of events immediately succeeding one another.

successively

Highlights the immediate following of one event by another.

in succession

Emphasizes the sequence of events or items following each other directly.

consecutively

Highlights the unbroken sequence or continuity of events.

in sequence

Stresses the ordered arrangement of events or actions.

sequentially

Focuses on the ordered arrangement of events in a specific sequence.

in a row

Emphasizes that the events or items are in a line and happening in direct sequence.

in turn

Suggests a rotational or cyclical order in which events occur.

running

Implies a continuous or uninterrupted series of events.

FAQs

How can I use "one after another" in a sentence?

Use "one after another" to describe events or actions that happen in sequence. For instance, "The runners crossed the finish line "one after another"".

What are some alternatives to saying "one after another"?

You can use alternatives like "in succession", "sequentially", or "one by one" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "one after the other" instead of "one after another"?

Yes, "one after the other" is a valid and very similar alternative to ""one after another"". Both phrases indicate a sequence of events or items.

What's the difference between "one by one" and "one after another"?

"One by one" often implies a deliberate or individual approach, while ""one after another"" simply indicates a sequence without necessarily implying individual attention.