second time in a row

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "second time in a row" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation in which the same thing happens two times in a row. For example, "James won the 100m sprint for the second time in a row."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

World Champions second time in a row.

Independent

Chicago lost for the second time in a row.

The New York Times - Sports

And for the second time in a row, Boston is top of the class.

The Washington Post

Sweden look like finishing without a single first place for the second time in a row.

The Guardian - Sport

For the second time in a row, Romney's advance team had done an excellent job.

The New Yorker

We'd failed to lose for the second time in a row.

The Guardian - Film

This is the second time in a row that Aizenberg's team has won an R&D 100 Award.

Harvard University

For the second time in a row, Republicans are the grieving party proceeding through the five stages.

The Washington Post

It marks the second time in a row Washington voters have said no to a carbon tax.

MIT Technology Review

It is the third time that Anand has won this prestigious tournament and the second time in a row.

The New York Times

Losing hit Burnham visibly harder than the other leadership candidates, perhaps because it was the second time in a row.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "second time in a row" to clearly indicate that an event has occurred consecutively, emphasizing the repeated nature of the event. For instance, instead of saying "The team won again", clarify with "The team won for the "second time in a row"".

Common error

Avoid using "second time in a row" when you mean "twice in total" without the implication of consecutiveness. "Second time in a row" specifically indicates immediate succession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second time in a row" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It indicates the frequency or manner in which an event or action is repeated consecutively. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

13%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "second time in a row" is a grammatically correct and highly common adverbial phrase used to indicate that an event has occurred consecutively, immediately following a similar previous occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various reliable sources. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles. To ensure clarity, use it specifically to denote immediate succession and avoid confusion with simple repetition. Common alternatives include "twice consecutively" or "for the second straight time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twice consecutively

Emphasizes the consecutive nature of the two occurrences using an adverb.

in two successive instances

Highlights the order and sequence of the events.

for the second straight time

Replaces "in a row" with "straight time", maintaining the meaning of consecutive occurrences.

on two consecutive occasions

Formal alternative using "occasions" to denote instances.

two times running

More informal expression, equivalent to "in a row".

in immediate succession for the second instance

Highlights the immediate sequence, more formal and emphatic.

repeated for the second time

Focuses on the repetition rather than the consecutiveness.

duplicating the previous instance

Highlights the duplication of the previous event.

back-to-back for the second iteration

Uses sports-related terminology to imply consecutive events.

following directly after the first occurrence

Emphasizes the immediacy and sequence of the events.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "second time in a row"?

Alternatives include "twice consecutively", "for the second straight time", or "on two consecutive occasions". The best option depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "second time in a row"?

Yes, the phrase "second time in a row" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to indicate that something has happened two times consecutively.

What's the difference between "second time" and "second time in a row"?

"Second time" simply means that something has happened on a second occasion. "Second time in a row" specifies that it has happened immediately following a previous, identical occurrence. The phrase "second time" lacks the implication of consecutiveness.

When is it appropriate to use "second time in a row" in writing?

Use "second time in a row" when you want to emphasize that something has occurred consecutively, highlighting the repetition and immediate succession of the event. For example, "The company reported record profits for the "second time in a row"" signifies continued financial success.