every fourth time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every fourth time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an occurrence that happens once in every four instances of a particular event or action. Example: "I water the plants every fourth time I remember to check on them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But more gulls have caught on, and the population has boomed to the point where whales are attacked at least every fourth time they surface, he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

No. Does it happen every third time?

The New York Times

If it continued pressing the lever, every hundredth time the rat would receive another pellet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Each subject was requested to attend to "start" and "stop" commands every 20 s alternatively and had to respond with the motor task every second time.

NeuroImage

Customers who sign up to the Tesco Mobile Xtras programme will see an extra full-screen ad roughly every third time they unlock their phone.

The Guardian

It seems that McCarthy has a two-for-the-studio, one-for-me arrangement that permits her to lay these eggs every third time out.

The Guardian - Film

Some offices had a "flush only every third time" rule.

BBC

I have three screens of icons, so let's say I see the side screens every third time I am in the apps.

Forbes

I told myself that every first time with him would be my last time.

Huffington Post

Therefore, statistics tell us that the average shoplifter gets caught every fiftieth time.

Vice

Do one thing so exceptionally well that you will turn every first time visitor into a lifetime customer.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "every fourth time", ensure the context clearly establishes the event or action being counted. For instance, "I check the mailbox every fourth time I leave the house."

Common error

Avoid using "every fourth time" when a more straightforward frequency adverb (like "occasionally" or "rarely") better conveys the intended meaning. Overusing it can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every fourth time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating frequency or recurrence. Ludwig examples show it specifying when an action occurs relative to other similar actions. The phrase describes how often something happens.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "every fourth time" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to express that an event occurs once in a set of four occurrences. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While understandable, it's not always the most elegant option, and alternatives may sometimes be more suitable. It appears most frequently in news, media, science, and wiki contexts, and is generally considered to be of neutral register. The phrase functions to specify a rate or frequency. Ludwig offers a range of alternative phrases to consider for improved clarity and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once every four instances

Rephrases using "instance" instead of "time", emphasizing a specific occurrence.

every quarter of the occasions

Substitutes "fourth" with "quarter" and "time" with "occasions", providing a slightly more formal tone.

in 25% of cases

Expresses the same frequency as a percentage, offering a more quantitative perspective.

one out of four times

Uses a fractional expression for frequency, making it simpler and more direct.

every three times out of four

Highlights the infrequency by contrasting the number of non-occurrences.

on 25 percent of occasions

Combines percentage and "occasions" for a formal, statistical feel.

for every set of four

Implies a pattern or sequence of events, providing more context.

in one fourth of the instances

Similar to "one out of four times" but slightly more formal with "instance".

at a rate of one in four

Focuses on the rate or proportion of occurrence.

quarterly

Implies every three months, is very different from the original intention.

FAQs

How can I use "every fourth time" in a sentence?

Use "every fourth time" to indicate an event that occurs once in a series of four. For example, "Every fourth time I visit the library, I find a book I want to read."

What are some alternatives to using "every fourth time"?

You can use phrases like "once every four times", "one out of four times", or "in 25% of cases" to express a similar frequency. The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "every fourth time"?

Yes, "every fourth time" is grammatically correct and understandable, although it may not always be the most elegant way to express the idea. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

What is the difference between "every fourth time" and "every four times"?

"Every fourth time" indicates a single occurrence within a set of four, while "every four times" implies a repeated action four times in a row. The meanings are quite different.