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I am trying to describe the positional relationship between the boxes in the image. I think it can be described that

The boxes are arranged adjacent in the Z-direction.

I would like to know whether it is possible to replace " adjacent" with "successively", "continuously", or "sequentially" as follows:

The boxes are arranged successively/continuously/sequentially in the Z-direction.

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  • Are you writing a geometry book?
    – Lambie
    Commented May 2, 2018 at 17:45
  • Is there a reason you want a 50-cent word? Would there be anything wrong with this? The boxes are arranged in a row.
    – J.R. ♦
    Commented May 2, 2018 at 18:01
  • I am afraid that "In a row" may be interpreted that the boxes are arrange in a line but separated from each other by a large distance.
    – rama9
    Commented May 2, 2018 at 18:40
  • Well, then: The boxes are arranged in a row, close together.
    – J.R. ♦
    Commented May 2, 2018 at 21:00
  • adjacent to one another
    – TimR
    Commented May 2, 2018 at 22:19

3 Answers 3

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Generally speaking, adjacent means next to:

My house was adjacent to his. But is does not necessarily imply they were touching. But it can.

Objects can be arranged in sequence or sequentially =in an ordered manner. As long as the pattern repeats. The sequence (adverb: sequentially) is whatever order you wish impose on objects. That said, if all the objects are the same thing, sequence does not work so well.

Continuous or continuous refers to time, usually, something that does not stop (continuous production). Or something that goes on unbroken for some length: There is a continuous line (as opposed to discontinuous) drawn on the map between point A and point B.

For those boxes in the picture, I would say:

the boxes are placed (one after the other) in sequence or sequentially on a line.

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  • I agree with your statement that sequence doesn't work very well because all the boxes are the same. The line itself could sort of impose a sequence, I suppose, but mostly using that word would just makes me wonder how I'm supposed to determine the correct order.
    – joiedevivre
    Commented May 2, 2018 at 22:59
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A couple of things:

  1. I'm not sure adjacent is a good choice in any case. The uncommonly used but correct adverbial form is adjacently.

  2. You should use the word sequentially. Successively typically refers to things that come in numerical or temporal succession: successive administrations, successive failed attempts, etc. Continuously means without interruption, and in the OP the nuance of continuously would suggest that the boxes are laid against each other with no spaces in between them.

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The boxes are arranged side-by-side. normal conversational

The boxes are arranged adjacent (to one another) along the Z-axis. more formal contexts

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