third year in a row

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "third year in a row" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has happened for the last three consecutive years. For example: "This year's summer camp will be the third year in a row that we have hosted children from low-income families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Homelessness has risen for the third year in a row.

The Guardian

Germany is down for the third year in a row.

The New York Times

For the third year in a row, Christopher H.

The New York Times - Travel

For the third year in a row, Disney teased fans with exclusive "Tron: Legacy" footage.

The New York Times

It was the third year in a row that Camby accomplished the feat.

The New York Times

And, for the third year in a row, there is no federal budget.

The New York Times

This is the third year in a row that a debut novel has won.

The New York Times - Books

For the third year in a row, households are likely to see their net wealth shrink.

The Economist

Joedan is wearing the same winter coat for a third year in a row.

The New York Times

For the third year in a row, my rates have dropped.

The New York Times

"Poe Toaster" fails to show up for the third year in a row.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "third year in a row", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being repeated or continued for those three years. Avoid ambiguity by providing specific details.

Common error

Avoid assuming "third year in a row" automatically implies the current year. Always clarify the specific three-year period you are referencing to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third year in a row" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration and repetition of an action or state over three consecutive years. It highlights continuity, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "third year in a row" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating that something has occurred for three consecutive years. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing repetition and continuity. It is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to business communications, maintaining a neutral register. While it's mostly found in News & Media contexts, and several alternatives exist, understanding its precise meaning and usage is key to effective communication. The analysis confirms that this phrase is a common and acceptable part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for three consecutive years

Replaces "in a row" with a more formal and explicit "consecutive years".

three years running

Uses the idiom "running" to indicate consecutive occurrences.

third straight year

Simply switches the order but retains meaning.

three years straight

Uses "straight" as a synonym for consecutive.

in three successive years

Employs "successive" to convey the sense of sequential years.

three years on end

Employs the phrase "on end" to indicate consecutiveness.

for the past three years continuously

Adds "continuously" for emphasis on the uninterrupted nature.

over the last three years

Focuses on the time frame of the 'last' three years.

a three-year streak

Uses 'streak' to mean a continuous run.

year three in a sequence

Highlights that it's the third instance in a series.

FAQs

How do I use "third year in a row" in a sentence?

Use "third year in a row" to indicate that something has happened for three consecutive years. For example, "This is the "third year in a row" that our company has exceeded its sales targets."

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

You can use alternatives like "for three consecutive years", "three years running", or "in three successive years" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "third year in a row" or "the third consecutive year"?

"Third year in a row" is an idiomatic phrase that emphasizes the repetitive nature of the event. "The third consecutive year" is also correct but sounds more formal and less common. The choice depends on the desired tone.

Is it always necessary to specify the 'year' when using "third year in a row"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the year or the event/achievement that is repeated can provide better clarity. For example, "This is the "third year in a row" the conference is held in this city".