"one by one" vs "one after another"

Question

"one by one" vs "one after another"

Both 'one after another' and 'one by one' are correct phrases that can be used interchangeably to describe a sequence of events or actions. They convey the idea of things happening consecutively or sequentially. The choice between them depends on personal preference or the specific context in which they are used.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used to describe events or actions that happen individually or sequentially, with each one following the previous one.

Examples:

The children lined up to receive their awards one by one.
The dishes were washed and put away one by one.
The guests arrived at the party one by one.

Alternatives:

individually
separately
step by step
in turn
one at a time

This phrase is used to describe a series of events or actions that occur one after the other in a continuous manner.

Examples:

The students entered the room one after another.
The cars parked in the lot one after another.
The books fell off the shelf one after another.

Alternatives:

successively
sequentially
consecutively
in succession
in a row

Answer 1

one by one

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a step-by-step or gradual progression of events or actions.

Answer 2

one after another

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a sequence of events or actions happening consecutively.

"one by one" vs "one after another"

one by one

one after another

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