successive
/sək'sesiv/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Following one after another in an unbroken sequence: Describes events, actions, or items that occur or are arranged in a continuous order without interruption.
- Consecutive: Happening or existing one after the other without a break.
Usage
The adjective "successive" is used to describe a series where each element directly follows the previous one. It emphasizes the uninterrupted, sequential nature of the items or events. It is often placed before a noun (e.g., successive days) or used after a linking verb (e.g., The victories were successive).
Examples
- Before a noun:
- The team won five successive championships. (The team won five championships in a row without losing in between.)
- He gave three successive presentations without a break. (He gave three presentations one immediately after the other.)
- After a linking verb:
- The failures were successive, leading to a major review. (The failures happened one after another.)
- The days of rain were successive, causing flooding. (The rainy days followed each other without a dry day in between.)
Advanced Usage
- "In successive years/generations/etc.": Used to indicate something happening in consecutive, unbroken periods.
- The festival has grown in size in successive years. (The festival has gotten bigger each year without a break.)
- "Successive stages/phases": Describes parts of a process that follow in a strict, linear order.
- The project will be completed in three successive stages. (The project has three phases that must be done one after the other.)
Variants and Related Words
- Successively (adverb): In a successive manner; one after another.
- He was promoted successively to manager and then director. (He was promoted first to manager and then, following that, to director.)
- Succession (noun): A number of people or things following one after the other; the process of following in order.
- A succession of warm days made the crops grow quickly. (A series of warm days happening one after another.)
Synonyms
- Consecutive: Following continuously; in unbroken or logical sequence.
- Sequential: Forming or following a logical order or sequence.
- In a row: Occurring one after another consecutively (more informal).
Antonyms
- Intermittent: Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.
- Sporadic: Occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated.
Adjective
- in regular succession without gaps
- serial concerts