every 12 hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every 12 hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a recurring event or action that takes place at 12-hour intervals. Example: "Please take this medication every 12 hours to ensure its effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But every 12 hours someone gets MND in Australia, and every 12 hours someone dies.

The Guardian - Sport

I take exactly as directed 1 every 12 hours.

Harvard University

VeriSign updates its domain information every 12 hours.

The New York Times

And it only needs to be changed every 12 hours.

MIT Technology Review

Late policy: 10% off for every 12 hours (e.g., 25 hours delay grade starts at 70).

Cornell University

Each pound of MOF powder collects about 1.3 liters of water every 12 hours.

University of California, Berkeley

Regrettably, these splendid baths are never kon'yoku -- they alternate between women and men every 12 hours.

The New York Times - Travel

(A) Cells were illuminated with blue light every 12 hours for 2 days.

Nature

For the next three days, I basted the fish every 12 hours with its exuded juices.

The New York Times - Food

Plasma sodium is monitored at least every 12 hours.

Annals of Intensive Care

sulfamethoxazole orally every 12 hours for 14 days.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medication schedules or treatment plans, use "every 12 hours" to clearly communicate the timing of dosages or procedures.

Common error

Avoid using "every 12 hours" when a more specific time frame is needed. For instance, stating "every 12 hours" may be vague if a more precise schedule aligned with specific times of the day, such as 8 AM and 8 PM, is necessary for the subject to follow the schedule correctly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every 12 hours" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying a verb to indicate how often an action occurs. Ludwig confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "every 12 hours" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something occurs twice a day. Ludwig confirms that it's widely used across various domains. Its primary function is to specify frequency, making it particularly useful in medical, scientific, and scheduling contexts. While alternatives like "twice daily" exist, "every 12 hours" offers precision. It's crucial to use this phrase when accuracy in timing is necessary and to avoid vagueness. Overall, the phrase is versatile and well-established in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every twelve hours

A slight rephrasing for clarity and emphasis.

every half day

Replaces the numerical value with a more descriptive term, altering the emphasis slightly.

twice daily

Uses a more concise and common expression to indicate two times per day.

at twelve-hour intervals

Emphasizes the regularity and spacing of the occurrences.

two times a day

Breaks down the frequency in simpler terms.

at 12-hour periods

Replaces the word 'hours' with 'periods', providing a slight variation in wording.

on a semi-diurnal basis

Employs a more formal and technical term for occurrences happening twice a day.

each twelve-hour cycle

Uses 'cycle' to emphasize the repeating nature of the timeframe.

every midday and midnight

Specifies the times of day when the event occurs, adding precision.

bi-diurnally

Uses a less common, more technical term meaning twice a day.

FAQs

How can I use "every 12 hours" in a sentence?

You can use "every 12 hours" to describe the frequency of an action or event. For example, "The medication should be taken "every 12 hours"."

What are some alternatives to saying "every 12 hours"?

Alternatives include "twice a day", "every half day", or "at "twelve-hour intervals"".

Is it better to say "every 12 hours" or "twice daily"?

Both "every 12 hours" and "twice daily" are correct. "Twice daily" is more concise, while "every 12 hours" provides a more explicit timeframe.

In what contexts is "every 12 hours" most appropriate?

"Every 12 hours" is suitable in contexts where precise timing is important, such as medical instructions or scientific protocols. In more casual settings, "twice a day" might be preferred.