bi-monthly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bi-monthly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that happens every two months or twice a month, depending on the context. Example: "The magazine is published bi-monthly, so subscribers can expect a new issue every other month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Solar Grid is published in bi-monthly chapters here.

The Guardian - Books

These days, Moore is primarily occupied with Dodgem Logic, a new bi-monthly journal.

The Guardian - Music

www.taplas.co.uk - a bi-monthly magazine about the traditional music scene in Wales and the Borders.

The Guardian - Travel

The lively bi-monthly newsprint broadsheet eventually morphed into a glossy and glamorous monthly.

The New Yorker

The Dilettanti Society Happy Hour, for example, is a bi-monthly show-and-tell for collectors.

The Guardian

The Groundnut began in January 2012 as a bi-monthly supper club in south London.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These days, Hard Cock Life is a bi-monthly event at the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch.

The Guardian - Music

I just wish it was bi-monthly instead of just 1 per month.

The New Yorker

We discovered a mutual love of food, so we set up a bi-monthly lunch club.

Independent

Campaigns & Elections, a bi-monthly magazine, lists more than 50 categories of political professional.

The Economist

Those involved in the CSIG confirmed that it held regular meetings, but denied they were bi-monthly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bi-monthly", ensure clarity in your context. It can mean either 'twice a month' or 'every two months'. If ambiguity is possible, use more explicit phrasing such as "twice per month" or "every other month".

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone understands your intended meaning of "bi-monthly". Since it can refer to 'twice a month' or 'every two months', clarify your intended meaning to prevent misunderstandings. Use explicit phrases like "every other month" or "twice per month".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bi-monthly" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, specifying the frequency of an event or publication. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies nouns like "journal", "magazine", "event", and "meeting", indicating how often these occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bi-monthly" is a common temporal descriptor, but is also carries a significant risk of ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It's crucial to ensure clarity when using "bi-monthly" because it can mean both 'twice a month' and 'every two months'. To prevent misunderstanding, consider using alternatives such as "twice per month" or "every other month", depending on your intended meaning. Ludwig's examples show its frequent use across news, science, and business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every two months

Specifies the interval more explicitly.

twice a month

Focuses on the frequency within a month.

semi-monthly

Indicates occurring twice a month, emphasizing the 'half' aspect of the month.

occurring every other month

Highlights the alternating nature of the event.

every second month

Provides a numerical emphasis on the interval.

two times per month

Emphasizes the count within a month.

fortnightly

Although typically means every two weeks, it can contextually imply a slightly longer recurring interval.

at intervals of two months

Highlights the periodicity with a descriptive prepositional phrase.

every six weeks

Represents an approximate synonym to indicate recurrence every other month.

periodically every two months

Adds emphasis of the regularity of occurence.

FAQs

What does "bi-monthly" mean?

"Bi-monthly" can be ambiguous, meaning either twice a month or every two months. To avoid confusion, use clearer alternatives like "twice a month" or "every two months".

How can I use "bi-monthly" in a sentence?

When using "bi-monthly", ensure the context clarifies whether you mean twice a month or every two months. For example: "The magazine is published bi-monthly" could mean it's published twice a month or every other month. Be specific to avoid confusion.

What can I say instead of "bi-monthly" if I mean twice a month?

If you mean twice a month, you can use alternatives like "semi-monthly", "twice a month", or "two times a month".

What's the difference between "bi-monthly" and "semi-monthly"?

"Semi-monthly" specifically means twice a month, while "bi-monthly" can mean either twice a month or every two months. To avoid ambiguity, it's best to use "semi-monthly" if you intend to convey twice-monthly frequency.