alternating months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alternating months" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a schedule or occurrence that happens every other month. Example: "The club meets on alternating months, so our next meeting will be in March."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

For $45 a month, members receive 12 bottles of one beer each month; for $25 a month, they get 6 bottles each of two beers delivered in alternating months.

The New York Times - Food

Startling was launched on a bimonthly schedule, alternating months with Thrilling Wonder Stories, though in 1940 Thrilling moved to a monthly schedule that lasted for over a year.

Wikipedia

The solution, it seems, is a community that functions by allowing its citizens alternating months of comfort and willful imprisonment, doing the grunt work that keeps the small society functioning.

Huffington Post

In February 1938 Weisinger asked for reader feedback regarding the idea of a companion magazine; the response was positive, and in January 1939 the first issue of Startling Stories appeared, alternating months with Thrilling Wonder.

Wikipedia

Those receiving pulmonary nebulized tobramycin on alternating months discontinued nasal administration during that time.

American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy

Table 2 shows descriptive statistics for candidate monthly variables for regression; for conciseness these results are presented for alternating months.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Galaxys shift to a bimonthly schedule had been intended to help reduce the workload on Gold, who was not in good health; he was able to take on If as well because the two magazines alternated months of publication.

Wikipedia

He spent alternate months there for 10 years and organised volunteer surgeons from Scotland, but he felt they were making little impact on the country's needs.

The Guardian

He then raised funds to build west Africa's first plastic surgery hospital, which opened in 1997, and worked there for alternate months until he was 85.

The Guardian

Many follow eccentric opening times, such as alternate months.

BBC

These organizations each put out a magazine on alternate months, guaranteeing members of both clubs a steady stream of Model T-related reading material.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing schedules, clarify the starting point to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "starting January, meetings will be held on "alternating months"".

Common error

Avoid confusion with "bimonthly", which can mean both twice a month and every two months. Using "alternating months" clearly indicates every other month.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alternating months" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency or timing of an action or event. This indicates that events occur every other month rather than consecutively. Ludwig AI confirms the usability and provides examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alternating months" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe events that occur every other month. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's important to note that the phrase is relatively rare. Alternatives like "every other month" may offer greater clarity and are more commonly used. As shown by the Ludwig examples, this phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic articles. When clarity is key, specifically state the starting month to avoid any ambiguity. In conclusion, while grammatically sound, consider the audience and context when choosing between "alternating months" and its more common alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every other month

This is a straightforward and common way to express the same concept using simpler vocabulary.

every second month

A more descriptive and slightly less common way to specify the interval.

in alternate months

A slightly more formal variation using the preposition 'in' to specify timing.

in a month-on, month-off pattern

Clearly indicates an on-off pattern spanning a month.

bi-monthly schedule

This phrase focuses on the scheduling aspect, implying that something occurs twice a month but could also mean every two months depending on context.

once every two months

Explicitly states the frequency of occurrence.

on a monthly rotation

Emphasizes the rotational aspect of the schedule, suggesting a recurring cycle.

monthly, on rotation

Highlights the monthly aspect alongside the cyclical scheduling of events.

staggered monthly

Indicates a phased or offset timing across months.

intermittent monthly schedule

This emphasizes the sporadic or inconsistent nature of the monthly events.

FAQs

What does "alternating months" mean?

The phrase "alternating months" means something happens every other month. For example, if an event happens in January, it will next occur in March, then May, and so on.

Is it correct to say "alternate months" instead of "alternating months"?

While "alternate months" is understandable, "alternating months" is more precise and grammatically standard when describing a recurring sequence. Consider using "every other month" for clarity.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "alternating months"?

You can use phrases like "every other month", "bi-monthly schedule" (though be mindful of potential ambiguity), or "in alternate months".

How can I use "alternating months" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The product demonstrations are scheduled for "alternating months" to allow for thorough training and preparation."