by two weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by two weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame or deadline that is two weeks in duration. Example: "The project deadline has been extended by two weeks to accommodate additional feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

By two weeks more yet, and I still hadn't parted.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The leaders postponed the president's invitation by two weeks.

Harvard University

(The show has already been extended by two weeks).

The New York Times

Preceding Lee by two weeks, however, was Brig.

The New York Times

The Prime Minister refused, and the Administration extended the deadline, by two weeks.

The New York Times

This is followed by two weeks of surfing, including a long weekend at Jeffreys Bay.

The Guardian - Travel

The school's self-imposed sanctions included delaying the start of all preseason practices by two weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

An appeal to Zimbabwe's constitutional court to delay the vote by two weeks was struck down.

The Economist

The show also anticipates the larger Corvettes at Carlisle, in Carlisle, Pa., by two weeks.

The New York Times

The eight U.S.F.L. teams selected 92 players in the open phase, which followed by two weeks the territorial phase.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Besides, how much of a "break" is it to delay — not shorten — her five-year sentence by two weeks?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by two weeks" to clearly indicate a delay, extension, or a time difference between two events. For example, "The deadline was extended by two weeks."

Common error

Avoid using "by two weeks" when you mean "in two weeks". "By two weeks" indicates a deadline or difference, while "in two weeks" indicates a future point in time. For example, say "The event will happen in two weeks" not "by two weeks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by two weeks" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the extent of a delay, extension, or difference in time. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by two weeks" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify a temporal difference, extension, or delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used across various contexts, including news, academic, and scientific domains. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to differentiate its meaning from "in two weeks" to avoid ambiguity. To ensure clarity, use "by two weeks" to indicate a change and "in two weeks" to indicate a future point in time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within a fortnight

Replaces "two weeks" with its synonym "fortnight".

in a couple of weeks

Uses a more casual expression for the same duration.

two weeks from now

Emphasizes the future aspect of the two-week period.

after a fortnight

Similar to "within a fortnight" indicating time span.

at an interval of two weeks

Formal way to say the same.

two weeks later

Highlights the sequential nature of the two-week gap.

spanning two weeks

Focuses on the duration of time.

for a period of two weeks

Explicitly states the duration.

a couple of weeks hence

Uses a slightly more archaic term, "hence", for future time.

in the space of two weeks

Emphasizes the time constraint.

FAQs

How can I use "by two weeks" in a sentence?

Use "by two weeks" to indicate a period of delay or difference. For example, "The project was delayed "by two weeks" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What alternatives can I use instead of "by two weeks"?

You can use phrases like "in a fortnight", "two weeks from now", or "a couple of weeks" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in two weeks" or "by two weeks"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "In two weeks" refers to a future time, while ""by two weeks"" usually means a delay or difference in time.

What's the difference between "by two weeks" and "for two weeks"?

"By two weeks" implies a change or a deadline (e.g., The deadline was extended "by two weeks"), while "for two weeks" indicates a duration (e.g., The conference lasted for two weeks).