alternate weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

"alternate weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to two weeks out of every four weeks that are used for a certain activity or purpose. For example: Employees are expected to work onsite for two days out of every alternate weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Some have an overlapping day and others alternate weeks.

The New York Times

On alternate weeks, professors will go to the middle schools to observe how well the lessons are being implemented.

The New York Times

She works alternate weeks with John Chris Parker, because this is definitely one of those 24/7 jobs.

The New York Times

It said the site, in its last incarnation, was staffed by two people "working part time on alternate weeks".

The Guardian

Richard Rothstein, who has written this column in alternate weeks, will write it every week starting today.

The New York Times

Add these liquid feeds to your watering can and use on alternate weeks to keep plants sprightly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Where to go for an alternate week Try island-hopping.

The Guardian - Travel

Where to go for an alternate week Head north for the Yorkshire Dales.

The Guardian - Travel

In monkeys, VRS-317, having a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 110 h, was rapidly and near-completely absorbed, and was well tolerated with no observed adverse effects after every alternate week subcutaneous dosing for 14 weeks.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tacrolimus trough concentrations were evaluated on alternate week days.

Gut

The drought treated plants were watered only once in every alternate week while the control pots were irrigated daily.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing schedules or recurring events, use "alternate weeks" to clearly indicate that something happens every other week. Be consistent with this phrasing throughout your document for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "alternate weeks" when you mean bi-weekly but are unsure if it means twice a week or every other week. "Alternate weeks" clearly means every other week, while "bi-weekly" can be ambiguous. Using "every other week" removes the ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alternate weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the frequency or interval at which an action or event occurs. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in various contexts, such as work schedules, treatment plans, and household chores. It clearly indicates a recurrence every two weeks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alternate weeks" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe events occurring every other week. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability across diverse contexts. It's frequently used in news, science, and general information sources. While synonyms like "every other week" or "biweekly" exist, "alternate weeks" provides clarity. When describing schedules or recurring actions, use this phrase consistently, avoiding confusion with other frequencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every other week

Uses a more common phrasing to indicate the same frequency.

biweekly

Employs a single word to convey the "every two weeks" frequency.

fortnightly

Utilizes a less common, but still valid, term for "every two weeks".

once every two weeks

Provides a more explicit and descriptive alternative.

every second week

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the alternating pattern.

weeks in rotation

Focuses on the cyclical nature of the schedule.

on a two-week cycle

Highlights the periodic aspect of the arrangement.

taking turns weekly

Emphasizes the shared responsibility or activity.

in alternating fashion each week

Adds emphasis on the "alternating" aspect each and every week.

switching weeks

It implies the exchange between one week and another.

FAQs

How can I use "alternate weeks" in a sentence?

You can use "alternate weeks" to describe schedules or routines that occur every other week. For example, "The team members work from home on "alternate weeks"".

What's a synonym for "alternate weeks"?

A common synonym for "alternate weeks" is "every other week". You could also use "biweekly", but be aware that it can sometimes be ambiguous.

Is it better to say "alternate weeks" or "every other week"?

Both "alternate weeks" and "every other week" are correct, but "every other week" is generally more common and easier to understand.

What does "alternate weeks" mean in the context of medication?

In a medical context, "alternate weeks" means taking a medication or undergoing a treatment every other week. This allows for periods of rest or recovery between doses.