succeed each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "succeed each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where one person or thing follows another in a sequence or order. Example: "In the relay race, the runners must succeed each other quickly to maintain their lead."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Corn fields succeed each other with no end in sight.

The Guardian - Opinion

Duds and masterpieces could succeed each other within months in the same year.

The New York Times - Arts

In energy in general, technologies mature and succeed each other over decades.

The Economist

They are moments which succeed each other in a kind of narrative weightlessness: an extra-temporal sequence of events.

The Guardian

Plant development, a multiphasic process in which two distinct plant forms succeed each other in alternating generations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These facies associations succeed each other vertically across the entire study area (6800 km2) forming a ∼120-m-thick transgressive succession.

Marine and Petroleum Geology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Fashions succeeded each other with great rapidity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His other sons John I Albert and Alexander succeeded each other in Poland and Lithuania from 1492 to 1506.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the first 10 lots succeeded each other, the gloom of the previous day appeared to linger.

The New York Times - Arts

The Hollywood Reporter noted a remarkable first about this: by displacing Carrie Underwood, Lambert had ensured that American Idol contestants had succeeded each other at No 1.

The Guardian - Music

Gone are the days when quarters of growth succeeded each other nose to tail and national debt was limited by a fiscal rule to 40% of GDP.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "succeed each other" to clearly indicate a sequential relationship where one entity or event follows directly after another, particularly in contexts where order or hierarchy is important.

Common error

Avoid using "succeed each other" when you intend to convey a causal relationship. While events may follow one another, this phrase doesn't imply that one event causes the other. Use causal connectors like "because of" or "as a result of" to indicate causation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "succeed each other" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a sequential relationship where one element follows another in time or order. As Ludwig AI indicates, this expression is common and generally acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "succeed each other" is a grammatically correct and relatively common verb phrase used to describe sequential relationships. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, especially in describing historical events, generational transitions, or cyclical processes. Although it appears most frequently in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications, writers should be mindful of not confusing it with causal relationships. Alternatives like "follow one another" or "take turns" can provide subtle differences in meaning, depending on the intended context. Overall, "succeed each other" is a valuable phrase for expressing order and sequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow one another

This alternative emphasizes the sequential aspect of the action with a slightly more general tone.

follow in succession

A more formal and emphatic way of stating that things follow each other in order.

come after each other

A more literal and straightforward way of expressing succession.

come one after another

Similar to "follow one another" but emphasizes the individual elements of the sequence.

take turns

Implies a pre-arranged or agreed-upon order of succession, often in a cyclical manner.

replace one another

Focuses on the replacement aspect, where one thing ceases to exist as another takes its place.

give way to each other

Suggests a yielding or displacement, with a sense of transition.

ensue each other

Suggests that one event naturally or logically follows the previous one.

step into each other's shoes

This suggests assuming the role or position of the previous person in the sequence.

alternate

Implies a pattern of switching back and forth between two or more entities.

FAQs

How can I use "succeed each other" in a sentence?

You can use "succeed each other" to describe events, people, or things that follow in sequence, such as "Generations of rulers "succeed each other" on the throne" or "Different musical styles "succeed each other" throughout history".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "succeed each other"?

Some alternatives include "follow one another", "take turns", or "come after each other", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "succeed one another" instead of "succeed each other"?

Yes, "succeed one another" is a grammatically correct and semantically equivalent alternative to "succeed each other". Both phrases indicate a sequential relationship.

What is the difference between saying events "succeed each other" versus events "follow each other"?

While both phrases indicate sequential order, ""succeed each other"" can sometimes imply a sense of replacing or taking over from the previous entity, whereas "follow each other" simply indicates sequential order without necessarily suggesting replacement.