In a row means one after another, without a break. The phrase comes after a number and the thing being counted: three days in a row, the second time in a row. People use it about wins and about annoying things that keep happening.
Want to use in a row in conversation?
Write a sentence — we'll show the mistakes right away and suggest how to say it more naturally.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
number + days/times/games + in a row; for the + second/third… + year in a row; the + ordinal + time in a row
- It's rained five days in a row, and my shoes never get dry.
- Our team has won three matches in a row this season.
- He was late for the third time in a row, so his manager finally spoke to him.
What changed
First versionI've missed the bus three days in row, so tomorrow I'm leaving earlier.
RevisionI've missed the bus three days in a row, so tomorrow I'm leaving earlier.
In row might seem enough, but row is an ordinary countable noun meaning a line of things, and in this phrase it always takes a: in a row.
Literally, in a row means in a line: The chairs stood in a row along the wall. When you're talking about people or objects in space, that's the meaning. For “one after another”, you can also use running after a number: It rained three days running.
Your turn
This is the third weekend ___ that it has rained.
Show the answer
in a row — It has rained for three weekends one after another, without a break, so in a row. One by one means “one at a time, in turn” and describes something happening to each person or thing separately: The guests left one by one.
Write about something that has happened to you several times in a row, good or annoying. Say how many times or days in a row and how you feel about it.
My neighbour's dog has woken me up at five in the morning four days in a row, and I'm really tired of it.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.