every fortnight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every fortnight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an event or occurrence that happens once every two weeks. Example: "The club meets every fortnight to discuss upcoming events and activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

EVERY fortnight an aeroplane carrying Polish policemen touches down at an airport in southern England.

The Economist

So I check every fortnight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He writes for the Informer every fortnight.

The Guardian

He would do this every fortnight.

The Guardian

My mother gets a letter every fortnight.

The Guardian - Money

The Australian will continue to publish Newspoll every fortnight.

The Guardian

Every fortnight the doctor gave him another prescription for antidepressants.

The Guardian - Opinion

I see them every fortnight, which isn't enough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr Bush holds a "conference call" with the governors every fortnight to get their opinions.

The Economist

He had one treatment every fortnight at first, then once every five weeks.

Independent

Even today, with a mail boat in at le once every fortnight, the….

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "every fortnight" to clearly indicate an event or task that occurs once every two weeks. This phrasing avoids ambiguity that can sometimes arise with "biweekly", which can mean both twice a week or once every two weeks.

Common error

Avoid using "biweekly" when you specifically mean "every fortnight". While "biweekly" is often intended to mean once every two weeks, it can also be interpreted as twice a week. To ensure clarity, always use "every fortnight" or "once every two weeks" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every fortnight" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used to specify a recurring event that takes place once every two weeks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

27%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every fortnight" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that means once every two weeks. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. To avoid ambiguity, it is recommended over the term "biweekly", which can have multiple interpretations. When clarity is key, "every fortnight" provides a precise and reliable way to indicate a recurring biweekly event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biweekly

A single word alternative that also means once every two weeks.

once every two weeks

An explicit and unambiguous way to express the same frequency.

semi-monthly

Similar to biweekly, indicating twice a month occurrence.

every other week

Highlights the alternating nature of the occurrence.

twice per month

Emphasizes the number of occurrences within a month.

at intervals of two weeks

Focuses on the specific time interval between occurrences.

on a two-week basis

Highlights the regularity of the two-week period.

each period of two weeks

Stresses the recurring nature of each two-week timeframe.

at a frequency of two weeks

Describes the rate at which something happens.

at a half-monthly rate

Highlights the rate relative to a month.

FAQs

What does "every fortnight" mean?

"Every fortnight" means once every two weeks. It's a common way to express a biweekly occurrence, especially in British English.

What can I say instead of "every fortnight"?

You can use alternatives like "biweekly", "once every two weeks", or "semi-monthly depending on the context.

Which is correct, "every fortnight" or "biweekly"?

Both "every fortnight" and "biweekly" can be correct, but "every fortnight" is less ambiguous. "Biweekly" can mean both twice a week and every two weeks, whereas "every fortnight" clearly means once every two weeks.

What's the difference between "every fortnight" and "every month"?

"Every fortnight" refers to a period of two weeks, while "every month" refers to a period of approximately four weeks. Therefore, events happening "every fortnight" are more frequent than those happening "every month".