successively to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "successively to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a sequence of actions or events that occur one after another. Example: "The team worked successively to improve the project, addressing each issue in turn."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fifteen people, from an imperious Pope to a helpless infant, go successively to their doom.

The New Yorker

Entering the army at 17, Marbot was aide-de-camp successively to three of Napoleon's generals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After the barbarian invasions, Catania fell successively to the Byzantines, the Arabs, and the Normans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The award has gone successively to Gregg Araki's Kaboom, Oliver Hermanus's Beauty, Xavier Dolan's Laurence Anyways, Alain Guiraudie's Stranger By the Lake and Matthew Warchus's Pride.

The Guardian - Film

In the 12th century the vast duchy was conveyed by the marriages of its heiress Eleanor successively to the kings of France and England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After he'd taken us, successively, to Shoreditch, Brick Lane and Hoxton, we finally arrived at Bermondsey Square, just off Tower Bridge Road.

Independent

The European political situation, however, compelled him to flee successively to the universities of Copenhagen, Oslo, and Uppsala, Swed., where he served as visiting professor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mīrzā Yaḥyā later was discredited, and Mīrzā Ḥosayn was exiled by orthodox Sunnī Muslims successively to Baghdad, Kurdistan, and Constantinople (Istanbul).

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the jet engine matured, it moved successively to other segments of the airline market and then, as turboshafts and turboprops, respectively, into helicopters and business aircraft.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After this he obtained the proconsulship of Africa and, again on his return, was sent as legate successively to Dalmatia and Pannonia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And the two students – Isabel (Allie Gallerani) and Thami (Stephen Tyrone Williams) – address their statements directly and successively to each part of the audience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "successively to", ensure the sequence of events or items is clear and logical. This phrase works best when emphasizing a progression or step-by-step process.

Common error

Avoid using "successively with" or "successively by" when indicating a sequence. "Successively to" is the correct prepositional construction to denote actions or events that follow one after another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "successively to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a sequential relationship between actions, events or states. It often modifies a verb, specifying the order in which things occur. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

23%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "successively to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase used to denote sequential actions or events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and finds common usage across varied sources, including science, encyclopedias, and news. While alternatives such as "subsequently to" exist, the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. When using "successively to", clarity and logical sequencing are paramount. It is important to avoid similar-sounding but incorrect constructions. Overall, "successively to" serves as a valuable tool in formal and scientific writing to express a clear, step-by-step progression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Subsequently to

Emphasizes a time-based sequence, with one event following another in time.

Serially to

Stresses the ordered arrangement and execution of tasks.

In sequence to

Highlights the ordered arrangement of elements or steps.

One after the other to

Suggests a clear, step-by-step progression with minimal overlap.

Following on to

Implies building upon a previous action or state.

In turn to

Highlights a cyclical or reciprocal relationship between events.

Progressively towards

Focuses on continuous advancement toward a specific goal or state.

Gradually to

Suggests a slow and incremental change.

Ultimately to

Highlights the final outcome after a series of events or actions.

Concurrently with

Indicates events happening at the same time.

FAQs

How can I use "successively to" in a sentence?

Use "successively to" to describe events or actions that follow one another in sequence. For example, "The company expanded "successively to" new markets each year."

What are some alternatives to "successively to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "subsequently to", "in sequence to", or "one after the other to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "successively to" and "successfully to"?

"Successively to" indicates a sequence, while "successfully to" suggests achieving a desired outcome. They have distinct meanings and should not be interchanged.

In what contexts is "successively to" most appropriate?

"Successively to" is suitable for describing processes, historical events, or any situation where actions or states follow each other in a defined order. It is often used in scientific, historical and formal contexts.