Which one is correct?
"all in a row" or "all in rows"?

Question

Which one is correct?
"all in a row" or "all in rows"?

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This phrase is used when you want to describe a situation where items are arranged in a single row, such as a row of chairs, a row of houses, or a row of books on a shelf.

Examples:

The chairs were all in a row, facing the stage.
The houses were painted in different colors but all in a row.
The books on the shelf were all in a row, making it easy to find the one I needed.
The ducks were swimming all in a row, following their mother.
The cars were parked all in a row along the street.

Alternatives:

all lined up in a row
all placed in a row
all in rows
all in a line
all in a single row

This phrase is used when you want to describe a situation where items are arranged in multiple rows, such as in a field of crops or a classroom with rows of desks.

Examples:

The students were all in rows, ready for the exam.
The trees were planted all in rows to create a beautiful pattern.
The houses were lined up all in rows along the street.
The books on the shelf were all in rows, neatly organized.
The soldiers marched all in rows, following their commander.

Alternatives:

all arranged in rows
all lined up in rows
all placed in rows
all in a row
all in a line

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'All in rows' is used when referring to multiple rows, while 'all in a row' is used when referring to a single row. Therefore, the choice between the two depends on whether you are talking about a single row or multiple rows.

Last Updated: March 27, 2024