second month in a row

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'second month in a row' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to a certain event or situation that has been going on for two months in a row. For example: "I haven't been able to get a good night's sleep for the second month in a row."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Consumer prices didn't budge in June, the second month in a row with no inflation.

Forbes

Consumer confidence rose in January for the second month in a row.

The Economist

The University of Michigan's survey of consumer sentiment rose in November for a second month in a row.

The Economist

Unemployment rose in April, for the second month in a row, to 4.5%—the highest since October 1998.

The Economist

On Friday, Ifo, a Munich-based research institute, reported that business confidence slipped unexpectedly in June for the second month in a row (see chart).

The Economist

In stagnant Germany, the euro area's biggest economy, the Ifo index of business confidence rose in February for the second month in a row.

The Economist

Yesterday's consumer inflation report showed that prices didn't budge at all in June, for the second month in a row.

Forbes

Factory activity in New York State contracted for a second month in a row in September Investors also focused on turmoil overseas.

The New York Times

Meanwhile U.K. retail sales registered zero growth for September, and for the second month in a row, confounding expectations for 0.5% growth.

Forbes

The monthly employment numbers, released Friday, were more bad news, showing that for the second month in a row, employers added barely any jobs in June.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Incomes, the fuel for future spending, rose 0.4% in June for the second month in a row.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "second month in a row", ensure that the context clearly establishes what event or condition is being repeated. This helps avoid ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

A common mistake is to assume "second month in a row" always refers to the immediately preceding month and the current month. Make sure your sentence clarifies the specific months if it's not immediately obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second month in a row" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the duration and repetition of an action or state. Ludwig shows that it often accompanies verbs describing economic trends, employment figures, or business performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "second month in a row" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has occurred for two consecutive months. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to highlight ongoing trends or consistent states. When using this phrase, ensure the time frame is clear to avoid ambiguity. Remember to consider alternative phrasing such as "two consecutive months" or "for the past two months" for subtle differences in emphasis. By paying attention to clarity and context, you can effectively use "second month in a row" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two consecutive months

This alternative emphasizes the consecutiveness of the months, highlighting that they follow one after each other directly.

for the past two months

This indicates that the action or situation has occurred continuously leading up to the present moment.

in two months straight

It is a more informal way to indicate that something has happened for two months without interruption.

two months running

This alternative is a more concise and slightly informal way of expressing the same idea of something happening for two months in succession.

in successive months

Highlights the sequential nature of the months in question, but is slightly more formal.

two months in succession

This phrase highlights the sequential order of the months and is a bit more formal than "second month in a row".

during the last couple of months

This provides a more general timeframe, encompassing the previous two months without emphasizing strict consecutiveness.

month after month for two months

This alternative emphasizes the repetition and continuation of the event across two months.

for a two-month period

This alternative focuses on the duration of the event, framing it as a period of two months during which something occurred.

over a two-month span

Similar to 'for a two-month period', it emphasizes the duration of the event but with a slightly broader and less precise connotation.

FAQs

How do I use "second month in a row" in a sentence?

Use "second month in a row" to indicate that something has happened or remained constant for two consecutive months. For example, "Sales have increased for the "second month in a row"" indicates a continuing upward trend.

What are some alternatives to saying "second month in a row"?

You can use phrases like "two consecutive months", "for the past two months", or "in successive months" depending on the level of formality and desired emphasis.

Is it always necessary to specify the months when using "second month in a row"?

Not always, but clarity is key. If the context doesn't make it obvious which months you're referring to, it's best to specify. Otherwise, the reader might misinterpret the time frame.

What's the difference between "second month in a row" and "two months in a row"?

While very similar, "second month in a row" often implies a continuation of a trend or event from a prior month, whereas "two months in a row" simply indicates that something occurred in two consecutive months, regardless of prior events. The difference is subtle and depends on the context.