succession
B2Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
A number of people or things following one after another in time or order.
The action, process, or right of inheriting a position, title, or property; the process by which one biological community replaces another in an ecosystem.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It often implies a chronological or logical sequence, not merely a random collection. In legal/royal contexts, it specifically denotes inheritance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. Legal/hereditary usage is equally common in both regarding monarchies or property. The term 'apostolic succession' is more frequent in UK religious contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties carry connotations of order, legitimacy, and continuity.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK media due to coverage of royal succession; otherwise comparable.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
a succession of [plural noun]in successionthe succession to [position/throne]plan for successionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in quick/rapid succession”
- “a succession of blows”
- “heir to the succession”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to 'succession planning' for replacing key executives.
Academic
Used in history (royal succession), law (inheritance), and ecology (ecological succession).
Everyday
Describing a series of events, e.g., 'a succession of rainy days'.
Technical
In ecology: 'primary succession' on new land; in law: 'intestate succession'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The estate was successioned to the eldest son.
American English
- The role will be successioned to the vice president.
adverb
British English
- The events occurred successionally over three decades.
American English
- Leaders were appointed successionally from within the group.
adjective
British English
- The succession plan is now in place.
American English
- The succession document was filed with the court.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He won the race three times in succession.
- A succession of managers tried to fix the problem.
- The company has a clear plan for managerial succession.
- The doctrine of apostolic succession is central to their theology.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a king's SON succeeding him – SUC + CESS + ION. The CESS sounds like 'success', and ION is the action. The action of successfully taking over.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/EVENTS AS A LINE OF OBJECTS (A queue of things, one behind the other); INHERITANCE AS A HANDOVER (Passing a baton in a relay race).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'успех' (success). 'Succession' is 'преемственность', 'последовательность', or 'наследование'. 'A succession of...' is often best translated as 'череда...' or 'серия...'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'succession' to mean 'success' (He achieved great succession -> incorrect). Confusing 'in succession' (one after another) with 'as a result'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'succession' NOT typically fit?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Succession' strongly implies a chronological order and often a logical or causal connection. 'Series' can be just a set of related items, not necessarily in a strict order (e.g., a TV series).
The verb form ('to succession') is very rare and technical, primarily used in legal contexts. The standard verb is 'to succeed'.
It means 'consecutively' or 'one after another without interruption' (e.g., 'It rained for five days in succession').
It is both. Uncountable: 'the principle of succession'. Countable: 'a succession of events'.
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