bi-annually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bi-annually" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an event that occurs twice a year. Example: "The company holds bi-annual meetings to discuss progress and future goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nobody would have guessed that he would have come this far this year, sadly for him, the fairytale of Ivanisevic couldn't happen bi-annually.

The Guardian - Sport

From the markets that take place every weekend to those that only happen bi-annually, this site has got them covered.

The Guardian - Travel

The lump-sum payment is split into four equal tranches, paid bi-annually over two years.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Individuals were surveyed annually from 1979 until 1994 and bi-annually afterwards.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

We continue to follow each child bi-annually until maturity to monitor containment, limb lengths and abductor function.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Changes in vegetation around each trap station were assessed annually in the forest and bi-annually in the corridor.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Beginning in 1986, 11,420 children of the 6,283 female NLSY79 respondents have been interviewed bi-annually forming the Children of the NLSY79 (CNLsamplesample.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

The survey was administered annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) between 1979 and 1993, and bi-annually from 1994 to 2010.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Typically, routine calibration of such an instrument is obligatory, and depending on the local regulations, is performed typically annually or bi-annually.

Measurement

So bi-annually companies will report graduation rates and time to graduate; placement rates; job types and titles (in tech or non-tech roles) and salary information for graduates.

TechCrunch

The IELTS speaking sub-test can certainly be said to influence all parties discussed through its rigid test format, serving to increase reliability, and the bi-annually recycled content aiding practicality.

Language Testing in Asia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is crucial, especially for audiences unfamiliar with formal vocabulary, prefer "twice a year" over "bi-annually".

Common error

Avoid confusing "bi-annually" (twice a year) with "bi-ennially" (every two years). Using the wrong term can drastically alter the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "bi-annually" modifies verbs, indicating the frequency of an action. As Ludwig AI states, it denotes something happening two times a year, providing crucial temporal information to the verb it modifies. The examples from Ludwig confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bi-annually" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase meaning twice a year, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in scientific, news, and formal business contexts to specify frequency. While widely accepted, "twice a year" offers greater clarity for broader audiences. Be careful not to confuse it with "bi-ennially", which means every two years. Remember to adapt your choice based on the intended audience and context to ensure effective communication. The phrase is a common way to describe events or actions happening twice yearly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twice a year

This is the most straightforward and common alternative, using simpler language.

semi-annually

This alternative uses a different prefix to indicate the same frequency.

every six months

This alternative specifies the interval between occurrences.

two times per year

This phrase is a more verbose way of saying "twice a year".

occurring two times yearly

This alternative phrase is a more formal restructuring of the expression.

biannual

A single word alternative, adjective form.

twice-yearly

A hyphenated alternative, adjective form.

at six-month intervals

This option focuses on the time between events rather than the number per year.

every half-year

This is a less common but still understandable alternative.

two times in the calendar year

This alternative specifies the period of the frequency.

FAQs

What does "bi-annually" mean?

"Bi-annually" means twice a year or every six months. It describes an event or action that occurs two times within a calendar year.

Is it correct to say "bi-annually"?

Yes, it is correct to say "bi-annually". However, for clarity, especially in less formal contexts, using "twice a year" might be preferable.

What is an alternative to using "bi-annually" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "twice a year", "semi-annually", or "every six months" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "bi-annually" and "bi-ennially"?

"Bi-annually" means twice a year, while "bi-ennially" means every two years. They have opposite meanings, so it's important to use the correct term to avoid confusion.