every alternate week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every alternate week" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that takes place every other week. Example: "We have our team meetings every alternate week to discuss project updates and progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In monkeys, VRS-317, having a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 110 h, was rapidly and near-completely absorbed, and was well tolerated with no observed adverse effects after every alternate week subcutaneous dosing for 14 weeks.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The drought treated plants were watered only once in every alternate week while the control pots were irrigated daily.

BMC Genomics

The stage of change combining smoking status and intention to quit according to the Health Action Process Approach HAPAA) [ 10] was assessed every alternate week.

BMC Public Health

The crossover study was carried out for 6 weeks (17th May to 25th June 2004), with the team having access to the PDA every alternate week.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

A crossover study was carried out for 6 weeks in 2004, with the team having access to the personal digital assistant every alternate week.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Where to go for an alternate week Try island-hopping.

The Guardian - Travel

Where to go for an alternate week Head north for the Yorkshire Dales.

The Guardian - Travel

In the alternate week, students at Maritime Gloucester built underwater ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tacrolimus trough concentrations were evaluated on alternate week days.

Gut

However, in October 1549, he was again required to preach twice on Sundays and, in addition, every weekday of alternate weeks.

Wikipedia

In the case of known urological problems preceding pregnancy, the follow-up policy includes urinalysis and urinary cultures every week, or on alternate weeks, as well as ultrasounds at least every three months, and more frequently in the case of urinary tract dilatation.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "biweekly" or "fortnightly" as concise alternatives to "every alternate week". Note that "biweekly" can also mean twice a week, so clarity is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "biweekly" if the meaning is unclear. "Biweekly" can be interpreted as both twice a week and every two weeks. To prevent confusion, clarify the intended meaning with phrases like "every other week" or "twice a week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every alternate week" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the frequency or interval at which an action or event occurs. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a recurrence that happens once every two weeks. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in scientific studies and news reports.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "every alternate week" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that functions as an adverbial to specify frequency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it denotes something occurring once every two weeks. While synonyms like "biweekly" exist, caution is advised due to potential ambiguity. Usage is most common in scientific and news contexts. To ensure clarity, especially in formal writing, consider alternatives like "every other week". In essence, "every alternate week" is a valid option, but clear communication should always be prioritized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every other week

This is the most direct synonym, replacing "alternate" with "other".

biweekly

This single word conveys the same frequency of occurrence.

once every two weeks

This phrase provides a more explicit explanation of the timing.

fortnightly

This term, common in British English, means happening every two weeks.

every second week

Uses ordinal numbers to express the alternating pattern.

on a biweekly basis

Adds a formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

every fourteen days

Replaces "week" with the exact number of days.

at intervals of two weeks

Focuses on the spacing between occurrences.

every week and a half

Slightly less precise, implying a similar timeframe.

at a semi-monthly cadence

Uses more technical terms to describe the frequency.

FAQs

What does "every alternate week" mean?

The phrase "every alternate week" means something happens once "every other week" or once every two weeks.

Is it correct to say "every alternate week"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. A synonym would be "biweekly", but make sure the context is clear, as this can also mean twice a week.

What can I say instead of "every alternate week"?

You can use alternatives such as "every other week", "once every two weeks", or the single word "biweekly".

How can I ensure clarity when using "biweekly"?

To avoid ambiguity, explicitly state ""every other week"" or "twice a week" instead of relying solely on "biweekly", especially in formal contexts.