every half hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every half hour" is correct and usable in formal written English.
You can use this phrase when discussing that something is happening or occurring on a regular schedule every 30 minutes. For example, "We need to check the temperature gauge every half hour to ensure the engine is running efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Guided tours every half hour.

The New York Times - Travel

Stick around for demonstrations every half hour.

University of California, Berkeley

"The news is changing every half hour".

The New York Times

Every half hour she stopped and played a computer game.

Stanford University

Also stick around for demonstrations every half hour.

University of California, Berkeley

Cut a new street there every half hour.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Moving every half-hour is sensible.

The Economist

Trains run about every half-hour.

The New York Times

The Casio went off every half-hour.

The New York Times - Magazine

Guided tours are conducted every half-hour.

The New York Times - Arts

(Check the thermometer every half-hour).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events or tasks, use "every half hour" to clearly communicate the frequency and regularity of the activity.

Common error

Avoid using "every half hour" when you mean 'approximately every half hour' or 'about every half hour'. If the timing isn't precise, use qualifiers to indicate the estimate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every half hour" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying verbs to indicate how often an action occurs. As Ludwig indicates, it is a grammatically sound and readily usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "every half hour" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase indicating frequency. It's used to describe actions or events that occur regularly at 30-minute intervals. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in formal English. Appearing frequently in News & Media and Academia, as well as Wiki, the phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. When exactness is crucial, use "every half hour"; for approximate timings, add qualifiers. Alternatives like "every thirty minutes" or "semi-hourly" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every thirty minutes

Replaces the phrase with a more explicit numerical expression of the time interval.

semi-hourly

Uses a single word to convey the meaning of occurring twice per hour.

each half hour

Emphasizes the individual occurrence of each 30-minute period.

at thirty-minute intervals

Highlights the regularity and spacing of the occurrences.

at half-hourly intervals

Similar to 'at thirty-minute intervals' but uses the compound adjective form.

twice an hour

Focuses on the frequency of the occurrence within a one-hour period.

at intervals of thirty minutes

Describes the spacing more explicitly.

every thirty

Shortened version implying minutes within the context.

on the half hour

Refers to events happening at the 30-minute mark of each hour.

every other part of an hour

More descriptive and less common way to say the same thing.

FAQs

How can I use "every half hour" in a sentence?

You can use "every half hour" to describe recurring actions or events. For instance, "The shuttle bus leaves "every half hour" from the airport" or "I take a short break "every half hour" to stretch my legs".

What is a similar phrase to "every half hour"?

Similar phrases include "every thirty minutes", "twice an hour", or "semi-hourly". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "every half hour" or "every thirty minutes"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "every thirty minutes" can be perceived as slightly more formal due to its explicit numerical precision, while "every half hour" is more conversational.

Can I use "every half hour" to describe an action that happens approximately every 30 minutes?

While "every half hour" implies a precise 30-minute interval, it's better to use qualifiers like "almost "every half hour"" or "approximately "every half hour"" if the timing is not exact.