sequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sequence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a set of related events, actions, or items that follow one another in a particular order. Example sentence: Watching the caterpillar's life sequence was fascinating.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The play begins with a long sequence where the characters are tossing a coin to fill time.

The Guardian

As if to clinch the point, Reid ­directs me to the key metaphor in the book's first sequence, The ­Flowers of Crete, in which the ­seemingly ­unvanquishable Cretan ­minotaur is a metaphor for Lucinda's indestructible sarcoma.

The Guardian - Books

The book's last sequence, Lucinda's Way, is the sweetest – a fond remembrance of a lovely sounding marriage, one in which she never threw away a scrap of his writing "without kissing it first", and in which Reid, as he puts it, was "second always to you, the dashing heroine".

The Guardian - Books

Allin's culpability follows a more obvious sequence of cause and effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Syfy version has a extending-snout, retracted-teeth sequence in it's first two minutes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They have also hit a pleasing rich vein of late-season form since being turned over in spectacular style at Old Trafford: five wins on the bounce, a sequence which has included impressive wins at Tottenham and Swansea, plus a six-goal humiliation of QPR.

The Guardian - Sport

Discard notions of dimly-lit, smoke and truant-filled rooms: the NVA recasts the once-grotty arcade as a bright, breezy sequence of rooms, equal parts art gallery, museum exhibit and educational centre.

The Guardian - Travel

The programme's presenter, Professor Kathy Sykes, ended the sequence by saying: "The stories are really moving but.. I need to find evidence that's more solid than this".

The Guardian - Opinion

A sequence which featured acupuncture being used instead of general anaesthetic during open heart surgery in China was alleged to be misleading by "underplaying" the use of drugs which were also administered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Always a contrived fiction, this sequence juxtaposes a poignant fantasy of a fully fit presenter with the merciless world of hard news.

The Guardian

As of last weekend, Curzon is now warning viewers: "Following the Germanwings flight incident on Tuesday 24th March, please be aware that Wild Tales features a sequence that some customers might find disturbing".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of steps, use "sequence" to emphasize the order and necessity of each step for achieving a specific outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "sequence" interchangeably with "random collection". "Sequence" implies a specific order, while "collection" does not.

Linguistic Context

The word "sequence" primarily functions as a noun, referring to an ordered set of elements or events. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to arrange in a particular order. Ludwig AI shows various examples in which "sequence" is used to describe an order of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Film

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Travel

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sequence" is a versatile term, predominantly used as a noun to denote an ordered set of elements or events, and occasionally as a verb meaning to arrange in order. According to Ludwig AI, "sequence" is grammatically correct and finds widespread usage across various contexts, most notably in News & Media, Sport, and Film. The semantic analysis reveals alternatives such as "series of events" and "succession of steps", each adding nuanced meaning. To ensure clarity in writing, remember that "sequence" implies a specific order. With a strong expert rating and a very common frequency, mastering "sequence" will enhance your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

series of events

Emphasizes the chronological order and interconnectedness of happenings.

succession of steps

Highlights the ordered progression through individual actions or stages.

chain of actions

Implies a cause-and-effect relationship between consecutive acts.

string of incidents

Refers to a connected series of occurrences, often with negative connotations.

order of operations

Specifically describes the correct arrangement for executing tasks or procedures.

course of events

Focuses on the unfolding of a particular situation or narrative.

progression of stages

Highlights the gradual development through distinct phases.

cycle of processes

Implies a recurring or repeating series of actions.

flow of information

Describes the transmission or movement of data in a specific order.

line of reasoning

Refers to a connected set of arguments or thoughts leading to a conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "sequence" in a sentence?

You can use "sequence" to describe an ordered set of elements, such as "The experiment followed a specific sequence of steps." or "The film featured a memorable action sequence".

What are some alternatives to "sequence"?

Alternatives to "sequence" include "series", "succession", "progression", and "order", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "sequence" and "series"?

"Sequence" emphasizes a specific order or arrangement, while "series" simply implies a number of similar or related events or items following one another. Sequence often implies a logical or causal connection.

Which is correct, "a sequence of events" or "an sequence of events"?

The correct phrasing is "a sequence of events" because "sequence" begins with a consonant sound, requiring the indefinite article "a".