at two-year intervals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at two-year intervals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time that is two years apart or a pattern that repeats every two years. For example: "The company requires employees to attend mandatory training at two-year intervals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Most of the women (81%) completed at least three assessments at two-year intervals.

Harvard University

Getting a mammogram at two-year intervals lowers the harms while still reaping the benefits of the test, Dr. Keating explains.

Harvard University

The Mazatec elect their own municipal authorities at two-year intervals; candidates must have the approval of the council of elders.

Britannica

Between 1995 and 2001, memory was measured in 16,010 subjects over the age of 70 years, at two-year intervals.

Harvard University

Here, I'm looking at 854 men interviewed up to three times, as part of the General Social Survey, at two-year intervals between 2006 and 2010.

Harvard Business Review

If there is to be a series of volumes appearing at two-year intervals, then steps should be taken to reduce this time-lag between publication of the original Swiss edition and the appearance of its translation.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

These restrictions will expire at ten-year intervals.

Columbia University

The percentages are regularly adjusted at three-year intervals based on changes in the economy.

The Washington Post

The World Convention of Churches of Christ since 1930 has sponsored mass meetings for fellowship and inspiration at five-year intervals.

Britannica

From then on, the Winter and Summer Games were each held at four-year intervals, alternating in even-numbered years.

Britannica

COLLEGE students used to say their goodbyes at graduation and hope to catch up at five-year intervals ever after.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, especially in technical writing, define the start date or event from which the two-year intervals are measured. This helps avoid ambiguity in understanding the timing of subsequent events.

Common error

Avoid confusing “at two-year intervals” with “biyearly” or “semi-annually”, which typically mean twice a year, not every two years. Ensure clarity in your wording to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at two-year intervals" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency or spacing of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a usable and correct phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

45%

News & Media

35%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at two-year intervals" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that clearly specifies a recurring period of two years. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for formal and scientific writing, as well as in news and media. While simpler alternatives exist, such as "every two years", this phrase is valuable for its precision. It's important to avoid confusion with similar terms like "biyearly", which can have a different meaning. By understanding its proper usage, writers can effectively communicate the timing and frequency of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every two years

This alternative uses a more straightforward phrasing to convey the same meaning, focusing on the frequency of occurrence.

at intervals of two years

This rephrasing maintains the original meaning but uses a slightly more formal structure.

biannually

This is a single-word adverb that directly means "twice a year" or "every two years", providing a concise substitute.

every other year

This phrase emphasizes the alternating nature of the events, occurring in non-consecutive years.

on a two-year cycle

This emphasizes the cyclical nature of the events, suggesting a recurring pattern.

two years apart

This focuses on the temporal distance between events rather than the frequency of their recurrence.

with a two-year periodicity

This option employs more technical terminology, suitable for scientific or formal contexts, highlighting the rhythmic recurrence.

occurring every 24 months

This provides a more precise temporal specification, useful when exactness is important.

in two-year increments

Focuses on the additive nature of time intervals, useful in describing cumulative processes.

separated by two years

Highlights the separation in time between events, useful in contexts where distinctness is key.

FAQs

How can I use "at two-year intervals" in a sentence?

You can use "at two-year intervals" to describe events that occur every two years. For example, "The conference is held "at two-year intervals" to review progress".

What is a simpler way to say "at two-year intervals"?

A simpler way to express the same idea is to say "every two years" or "biannually", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "biyearly" instead of "at two-year intervals"?

While "biyearly" could be interpreted as "every two years", it's often confused with "twice a year". To avoid ambiguity, using ""at two-year intervals"" or "every two years" is clearer.

What's the difference between "at two-year intervals" and "semi-annually"?

"At two-year intervals" means every two years, while "semi-annually" means twice a year, or every six months. They describe very different frequencies of occurrence.