bi-weekly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bi-weekly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event that occurs every two weeks or twice a week, depending on the context. Example: "Our team meetings are scheduled bi-weekly, so the next one will be on Tuesday."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Weekly, Bi-weekly, and Monthly.

Harvard University

(c) Temporal, bi-weekly CO2 emissions.

Nature

Hourly employees are paid bi-weekly.

University of California, Berkeley

Bi-weekly meetings to be arranged.

University of California, Berkeley

These newsletters are sent out bi-weekly.

Stanford University

For me it's a bi-weekly check-up.

The Guardian - Sport

Shortly after that she went to a bi-weekly box.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bi-weekly Seminar — The bi-weekly seminar is the intellectual focal point of the program.

Columbia University

The Philly mascots have bi-weekly slumber parties (schedules permitting).

The Washington Post

Bi-weekly, he organizes musical performances at hospice facilities.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You often get paid once a month vs bi weekly.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, especially in international contexts, it's often best to use "every two weeks" instead of "bi-weekly".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "bi-weekly" with "bi-monthly". "Bi-weekly" typically means every two weeks, while "bi-monthly" can mean either twice a month or every two months. Always clarify your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bi-weekly" functions primarily as an adverb modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates the frequency with which an event or action occurs, as supported by the Ludwig examples where it describes occurrences like "meetings", "payments", and "check-ups".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bi-weekly" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that primarily means every two weeks. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse fields like academia, news, and science. To mitigate potential confusion with "bi-monthly" or the less common interpretation of twice a week, opting for clearer alternatives such as "every two weeks" is advisable. Be sure to clarify the context when using "bi-weekly" in professional or international communications to ensure unambiguous understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every two weeks

This phrase provides a clearer, less ambiguous alternative to "bi-weekly".

every other week

Clearly states the interval between occurrences.

once every two weeks

Emphasizes the 'every' aspect, clarifying the frequency.

occurring every two weeks

A more formal and descriptive way to express the same meaning.

semi-monthly

Indicates something happening twice a month, which is one interpretation of "bi-weekly".

twice per month

Similar to semi-monthly, but more explicit about the monthly timeframe.

at intervals of two weeks

Highlights the regular spacing of events.

two times a month

Focuses on the quantity per month instead of the interval.

fortnightly

A synonym, especially common in British English.

bi-monthly

Close in spelling, but often confused, as "bi-monthly" can also mean every two months.

FAQs

What does "bi-weekly" mean?

"Bi-weekly" commonly means every two weeks. However, it can sometimes be misinterpreted as twice a week, so it's best to clarify the intended meaning or use alternative phrases like "every two weeks".

What can I say instead of "bi-weekly"?

You can use alternatives like "every two weeks", "fortnightly", or "once every two weeks" to avoid ambiguity.

Which is correct, "bi-weekly" or "semi-weekly"?

"Bi-weekly" is more commonly used to mean every two weeks. "Semi-weekly" definitively means twice a week.

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

"Bi-weekly" usually means every two weeks. "Bi-monthly" is ambiguous and can mean either twice a month or every two months. To avoid confusion, use "twice a month" or "every two months" instead of "bi-monthly".