third fault in a row

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "third fault in a row" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where three consecutive mistakes or errors have occurred, often implying a pattern of failure. Example: "After the third fault in a row, the team knew they needed to reassess their strategy to avoid further mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A third fault in a row from Li... oh and another!

The Guardian - Sport

Then a third fault in a row... but not a fourth.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Roddick was quick to capitalise on a nervy start from Hewitt, who had two double-faults in a row in his first service game, gifting Roddick an early break on the way to taking the first set 6-3. Hewitt hit back at the start of the second set, creating his first break point in the fourth game and converting with volley to take a 3-1 lead, which became 4-1 befoRoddickick broke.

Independent

Having managed to regain his grip on the match after dropping the third set, a tiring Monfils gifted Federer two double-faults in a row to hand over the following game and his challenge faded fast.

BBC

At the Indian Wells tournament in California in March, Dimitrov, a Bulgarian, lost to Djokovic after making four double-faults in a row when serving for the first set.

The New York Times - Sports

He was getting a very high percentage of first serves in, but, at one point, he served two double faults in a row.

The Guardian - Sport

"Two double faults in a row and you're love-30," Roddick said.

The New York Times - Sports

Two double faults in a row and Cibulkova has broken back!

The Guardian - Sport

"I stepped up to the service line and served four double faults in a row," Fleming recalled, "and John just looked at me and said: 'What?

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Buhari, who at the age of 68 has lost his third election in a row, says he will not join any lawsuit.The poll starkly exposed the ethnic and religious fault lines in a country of 150m people.

The Economist

This is the third voucher in a row he has applied for since his benefits were stopped at the start of July through no fault of his own.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events in sports or games, use the phrase "third fault in a row" to highlight a critical moment of repeated errors, especially when the errors have immediate consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "third fault in a row" when the sequence isn't actually consequential or noteworthy. Make sure the repetition of the fault is significant to the situation you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which faults occur. It indicates a sequence of errors, emphasizing the repetitive nature of the faults. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "third fault in a row" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a sequence of three consecutive errors, as supported by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight a pattern of repeated failures, especially in sports or game-related scenarios. While not a highly common phrase, its meaning is clear and its usage is consistent with standard English conventions. For alternative phrasing, consider using "three consecutive faults" or "three faults in succession". When using "third fault in a row", ensure that the repetition is genuinely consequential to the situation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three consecutive faults

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the faults using "consecutive".

three straight faults

Uses "straight" as a more casual synonym for consecutive.

three faults successively

Highlights the sequence of events with "successively".

three faults in succession

Similar to 'successively', focusing on the uninterrupted sequence of faults.

three back-to-back faults

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the sequence.

a hat trick of faults

Uses a sporting term to indicate three in a row, adding a more informal tone.

a trio of faults

Emphasizes the group of three faults.

three repeated faults

Highlights the repetition of the fault.

three faults one after another

More descriptive and less concise, but clarifies the sequence.

three immediate faults

Stresses the lack of delay between the faults.

FAQs

What does "third fault in a row" mean?

The phrase "third fault in a row" describes a situation where someone has made the same mistake or error three consecutive times. It is used to highlight a pattern of repeated failures.

How can I use "third fault in a row" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "After the "third fault in a row", the team decided to change their strategy."

What can I say instead of "third fault in a row"?

You can use alternatives like "three consecutive faults", "three faults successively", or "three faults in succession" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "third fault in a row"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The structure follows standard English syntax for describing a sequence of events or errors.