by the week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the week" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate a frequency of something happening within a week, or something that lasts for one week. For example, "He gets paid by the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Transport links get better by the week.

The Economist

"We change it by the week".

The New York Times

The numbers are growing by the week.

The New Yorker

His hairstyle changed by the week.

The New York Times - Arts

"Now we're getting healthier by the week.

The New York Times - Sports

The big buildings are going up by the week.

The New Yorker

That ratio now seems to be rising by the week.

The Economist

"It's getting smaller by the week," Riske said Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

The players get that, and more, by the week.

The New York Times - Sports

Morale is high.Supplies are improving by the week.

The Economist

He is growing more provocative by the week.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the week" to describe changes, trends, or activities that are assessed or happen regularly within a weekly timeframe. This helps to convey the pace or frequency of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "by the week" when referring to a particular week or date. Instead, use specific date references or phrases like "during the week of" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the week" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It indicates the frequency or rate at which something occurs. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it specifies actions or assessments on a weekly basis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by the week" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something occurs, changes, or is measured on a weekly basis. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for describing frequencies and rates across many situations. Its register is neutral, making it appropriate for various contexts, including news, business, and general conversation. It's best practice to use "by the week" to denote regular weekly increments, and to avoid using it when referring to specific dates within a given week. The most frequent source for usage of "by the week" are news sources, and it's advisable to consider similar alternatives like "on a weekly basis" or "every week" to offer variety in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every week

A straightforward alternative that highlights the repetition of an event in each passing week.

each week

Similar to "every week" but emphasizes the individual occurrence in each specific week.

once a week

Highlights the singular occurrence of something within the span of one week.

per week

Indicates the rate or amount of something calculated for a single week.

on a weekly basis

Emphasizes the regularity and recurring nature of the action each week.

weekly

Adjective form indicating something that is done, produced, or appearing once a week.

week after week

Draws attention to the continuous nature of something occurring over multiple weeks.

at weekly intervals

More formal phrasing that specifies the consistent spacing of events.

by the session

Indicates a frequency related to sessions, differing from the weekly timeframe.

by the month

Changes the duration to a monthly cycle instead of weekly.

FAQs

How can I use "by the week" in a sentence?

You can use "by the week" to describe something that changes or happens regularly each week. For example, "The project's progress is evaluated "by the week"."

What phrases are similar to "by the week"?

Alternatives include "on a weekly basis", "every week", or "per week" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the prices change by the week"?

Yes, it is correct. This indicates that prices are subject to change each week. It implies a recurring or frequent adjustment.

What's the difference between "by the week" and "for the week"?

"By the week" suggests a recurring action or assessment, while "for the week" specifies a duration. For example, "rent the apartment "for the week"" implies renting it for a seven-day period.