Meaning & use
sequencing
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Meanings
noununcountable
The act of arranging things in a particular order, or the order itself.
Grammar: Uncountable, so no plural: 'the sequencing of events' not 'a sequencing'.
Patterns
- the sequencing of something
- sequencing in something
The sequencing of the lessons helps students build skills gradually.
Proper sequencing of the steps is crucial for a successful experiment.
The film's sequencing of scenes confused many viewers.
noununcountablebiologytechnical
The process of determining the order of nucleotides in DNA or RNA, or amino acids in proteins.
Grammar: Used in biology and medicine; often appears in phrases like 'DNA sequencing'.
Patterns
- DNA sequencing
- genome sequencing
- sequencing of a gene
DNA sequencing has become faster and cheaper in recent years.
The lab specializes in the sequencing of viral genomes.
Sequencing revealed a mutation linked to the disease.
noununcountable
In education, the organization of content or skills into a logical order for teaching.
Grammar: Often used with 'curriculum' or 'instruction'.
Patterns
- curriculum sequencing
- sequencing of skills
The teacher focused on the sequencing of grammar points.
Good sequencing ensures that each lesson builds on the previous one.
Common combinations
- DNA sequencing
- DNA sequencing is now a routine tool in medical research.
- genome sequencing
- Genome sequencing can identify inherited disorders.
- sequencing of events
- The report described the sequencing of events leading to the accident.
- curriculum sequencing
- Curriculum sequencing is key to effective teaching.
- sequencing analysis
- The sequencing analysis took several hours to complete.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ordering
- More general; can refer to any arrangement, while 'sequencing' often implies a logical or temporal order.
- arrangement
- Focuses on the result rather than the process; 'sequencing' emphasizes the act or method.
Word family
Commonly confused: sequencing or sequencing?
sequencing vs sequencing
Not to be confused with 'sequence' (the noun or verb). 'Sequencing' is the process; 'sequence' is the result or the act itself.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'sequencing' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Sequencing' is uncountable and takes a singular verb, so 'was' is correct. Options 1 and 2 use plural verbs incorrectly; option 3 uses present tense, which doesn't fit the past-time context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sequencing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.