successive

USAGE SUMMARY

"successive" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a series of events or things in sequence. Here is an example sentence: The successive stages of product development are research, design, and production.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She said successive studies had shown that successful early nurture was the proven route to helping children in later life, and the body of evidence had grown more comprehensive since Sure Start was first launched.

The Guardian

There are promises on tax avoidance and evasion, something promised by successive governments which is often easier to announce than to achieve.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her government's tacit support for Saddam Hussein's war against Iran led to successive Gulf wars and John Major's studied neutrality in Bosnia – which later pushed Tony Blair in the opposite direction, towards costly interventionism that overstretched MoD resources.

The Guardian - Opinion

For the north's economic problems do not stem from a lack of tech-startups or an inability to cross the Pennines at lightning-quick speed; they are borne of successive crises of capitalism, each of which leaving behind their own uncompromising legacy.

The Guardian

Successive laws passed by New Labour have pared down our liberty at an astonishing rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Spain's case, our adherence to what was then the European Community was the culmination of a yearning by successive generations cut off from the possibility of joining the broader current of peace, democracy and progress that was flowing north of the Pyrenean border.

The Guardian

Since 2001 the group has survived successive crackdowns announced by Pakistani authorities.

The Guardian

A party source added: "Every suicide is a tragedy, but the latest available data shows that the rate is now the same as in 2003 and has been relatively stable during successive governments in the intervening period".

The Guardian

Or on a chairman who insisted he had learned from past mistakes but saw his team ignominiously relegated from the top flight for the second successive time?

The Guardian - Sport

The county has followed its transport policy for half a decade, despite pressure from successive Environment secretaries to change or abandon it.

The Guardian

The preparations by the "golden triangle" – cabinet secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Queen's private secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt, and the prime minister's principal private secretary, Chris Martin – show how discreet work is underway as Whitehall gears up for a second successive hung parliament, which could prove still more complicated than the last one.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "successive" to clearly indicate that events or items follow one another directly in a series, without gaps or interruptions. For example, "They won the championship for three successive years."

Common error

Avoid using "successive" when you mean "successful". "Successive" refers to a sequence, while "successful" describes achieving a desired outcome. For example, say "They had several successive attempts" not "They had several successful attempts" if you mean one attempt followed the other.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "successive" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a sequence of events or items that follow one another directly, as shown by Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "successive" functions as an adjective, denoting a sequence or series where items or events follow one another directly. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and as demonstrated by a wide array of examples from sources like The Guardian, it enjoys very common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While "successive" is often interchangeable with terms like ""consecutive"" and "sequential", it’s crucial not to confuse it with "successful", which describes achievement. Remember to employ "successive" to indicate direct sequence and continuity accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consecutive

Emphasizes an unbroken sequence, very similar to "successive" but slightly more formal.

sequential

Highlights the order in which things occur, implying a logical or predetermined arrangement.

in a row

A more informal way to describe events happening one after the other without interruption.

one after another

A simple and direct way to indicate a series of events.

following

Indicates something that comes directly after something else.

in sequence

Emphasizes the ordered nature of the events.

running

Implies a continuous series, often used in sports or competitions.

straight

Similar to "in a row", suggesting an uninterrupted series.

serial

Suggests a planned or structured sequence.

subsequent

Highlights that something follows another, but does not necessarily imply an unbroken sequence.

FAQs

How to use "successive" in a sentence?

Use "successive" to describe events or items that follow one another in a sequence. For example: "The company reported losses in three "consecutive" quarters."

What can I say instead of "successive"?

You can use alternatives like ""consecutive"", "sequential", or "following" depending on the context.

Is "successive" the same as "successful"?

No, "successive" means following in order, while "successful" means achieving a desired outcome. Don't confuse "successive attempts" with "successful attempts".

Which is correct, "successive years" or "successful years"?

"Successive years" is correct when referring to years that follow one another in sequence. "Successful years" refers to years in which something positive was achieved.