in a row
Consecutive order
Use in a row for repeated events without interruption.
They scored twice in a row.
He arrived late three days in a row.
“In row” or “of row”?
Use in a row for sequence or arrangement. Of row is uncommon alone and usually appears inside larger noun phrases.
Quick answer
Which expression is correct with row?
Use in a row to mean consecutively or arranged in a line. Use of the row when describing something connected with a particular row. Of row alone is not a standard standalone phrase.
She won three games in a row.
The chairs stood in neat rows near the stage.
The end of the row was empty.
The chairs stood in neat rows near the stage.
The end of the row was empty.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
in + row/rows
Arrangement in lines
Use in rows or in a row for physical arrangement.
The students sat in rows during the exam.
The houses were built in a row along the street.
of + row
Part of a larger noun phrase
Of the row describes relation to a specific row.
She sat at the end of the row.
The middle of the row remained empty.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
in a row
We had sunny weather for a week in a row.
consecutively
in rows
The books were arranged in rows.
arranged in lines
of the row
The front of the row was crowded.
connected with a specific row
of row
Of row alone is not standard English.
normally needs an article or another noun
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Omitting the article in the idiom
The fixed expression is in a row.
✕ She won twice in row. ✓ She won twice in a row.Using of row alone
Use of the row or another complete phrase.
✕ The end of row was blocked. ✓ The end of the row was blocked.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. They lost four matches ___ a row.
2. The desks were arranged ___ rows.
3. She sat at the end ___ the row.
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Frequently asked questions
What does in a row mean?
It means consecutively or one after another.
Can in a row describe physical arrangement?
Yes. It can mean positioned in a line, such as houses in a row.
Is of row correct English?
Not usually by itself. English normally uses of the row in a larger phrase.
Related preposition guides
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