every few months

USAGE SUMMARY

"every few months" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to how often something happens at regular intervals. For example, "My company requires employees to submit performance reviews every few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now they do so every few months.

The Economist

Every few months, new gizmos come out.

The New York Times

His captors moved him every few months.

The New Yorker

She visits him there every few months.

The New Yorker

(Another volume will follow every few months).

The New York Times

Not very often — every few months.

The New York Times - Magazine

He receives the infusions every few months.

The New York Times - Health

Every few months, it adjusts.

The New Yorker

Telephones break down every few months.

The New York Times

Sure, they would expire every few months.

The New York Times

We would meet every few months.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing recurring events, use "every few months" to indicate a frequency that is not fixed to a specific month but happens roughly within a two-to-four-month window. This phrase is ideal when precision is not crucial, and the interval is approximate.

Common error

Avoid using "every few months" when the event happens more frequently, such as monthly. For more frequent actions, use "monthly" or "every month" to better represent their occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every few months" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying a verb or clause to indicate how often an action occurs. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in specifying recurring events at intervals longer than a month.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

22%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every few months" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something happens at intervals of several months, typically between two and four months. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, as well as on wikis, providing a general timeframe for recurring events. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the approximate frequency and avoid overstating the regularity of the occurrence. Alternatives include "every couple of months" or "at intervals of several months", depending on the desired level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every couple of months

Replaces "few" with "couple", suggesting a slightly less precise timeframe.

every two to three months

Provides a range for the frequency, adding a degree of flexibility.

approximately every three months

Specifies the interval more precisely using "three months" and "approximately".

with a frequency of several months

Presents the idea with a focus on the frequency itself.

at intervals of several months

Uses a more formal tone to describe the recurring timeframe.

on a quarterly basis

Implies recurrence aligned with calendar quarters, providing a structured schedule.

semi-annually, with adjustments

Indicates an event happening twice a year with some modification in timing.

periodically over a span of months

Describes the action as recurrent over a period longer than one month but without a fixed schedule.

a few times per year

Broadens the scope to annual frequency but maintains the uncertainty of timing.

at multi-month intervals

Emphasizes the length of the gap between occurrences in a more technical manner.

FAQs

What does "every few months" mean?

The phrase "every few months" signifies that something occurs at intervals of several months, typically ranging from two to four months. The exact duration is not specified, implying a general timeframe.

How can I use "every few months" in a sentence?

You can use "every few months" to indicate the frequency of an event or action. For example: "The software receives updates "every few months"."

What are some alternatives to "every few months"?

Alternatives include "every couple of months", "quarterly" (if it aligns with calendar quarters), or "at intervals of several months".

Is there a difference between "every few months" and "every month"?

"Every month" indicates that something happens each month, whereas "every few months" suggests that it occurs less frequently, with intervals of two or more months. The former is a more consistent frequency than the latter.