every other hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every other hour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation that occurs intermittently, for example: "We checked the water levels every other hour to make sure it was safe to swim in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

He was up every other hour feeding the baby because that's just him".

The Guardian - Sport

Every other hour a jet of water hits you on the back of the head.

The Guardian - Music

Had it been me I would have been on the phone every other hour.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Every hour of television competes with every other hour of television," he said.

The New York Times

They put up signs that say: "Trains every other hour for 15 minutes ONLY.

The New York Times

Households and firms are loth to pay more for power that now seems to run only every other hour.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

I took all my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and every other waking hour I was there.

The New York Times

The computers only work every other half hour of the day and cricket has been absolutely pathetic.

The Guardian - Sport

Something terrible has always just happened, or is about to, and the viewer bears the apprehensive weight of Allison's foreknowledge, having witnessed the violently detailed dreams that disrupt her sleep almost every other nocturnal hour.

The New York Times - Arts

Almost every other waking hour, he's on his smartphone pretending to be a little boy or girl.

Vice

For every other available hour, all nearby conference rooms or halls are filled with fringe meetings organised by different groups buzzing around the party, from 8AM breakfast meetings to 8PM rallies to receptions to midnight debates.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "every other hour" to clearly indicate an action or event that occurs intermittently, with a consistent two-hour gap between each instance. This helps avoid ambiguity compared to phrases like "bi-hourly" which can sometimes mean twice per hour.

Common error

Avoid using "bi-hourly" as a direct substitute for "every other hour". "Bi-hourly" can be interpreted as "twice an hour" by some, leading to misunderstanding. Stick with "every other hour" for clarity when you mean something happens once every two hours.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every other hour" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the frequency or interval at which an action or event occurs. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every other hour" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something occurs once every two hours. As verified by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across diverse contexts from News & Media to scientific publications. While alternatives like "bi-hourly" exist, using "every other hour" provides the clearest and most unambiguous communication. Remember that "bi-hourly" can also mean twice per hour, so use "every other hour" to avoid misunderstandings. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "every other hour" into your writing with confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every second hour

Emphasizes the alternating nature with a focus on sequential hours.

at two-hour intervals

Highlights the specific duration between occurrences.

once every two hours

Explicitly states the frequency as a single occurrence within a two-hour period.

every alternate hour

Uses "alternate" as a synonym for "other", maintaining the alternating meaning.

bi-hourly

A single word to describe every two hours, more concise but less descriptive.

every two hours

Focuses on the duration of the interval rather than the alternating pattern.

on alternating hours

Highlights the alternating nature of the hours in which something occurs.

each second hour

Similar to "every second hour", focusing on the sequential occurrence.

at intervals of two hours

Focuses on the spaced repetition of the interval of two hours.

every 120 minutes

Expresses the time interval in minutes rather than hours, with the same meaning

FAQs

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

Use "every other hour" to describe an action or event that happens once every two hours. For example, "The medication should be taken "every other hour"."

What phrases are similar to "every other hour"?

Similar phrases include "every second hour", "at two-hour intervals", or "once every two hours". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "bi-hourly" an accurate substitute for "every other hour"?

While some might use "bi-hourly" to mean "every two hours", it can also mean "twice per hour". To avoid confusion, it's best to use the clearer phrase "every other hour" when you intend to communicate that something happens once every two hours.

What's the difference between "every other hour" and "every hour"?

"Every hour" means something happens each hour. "Every other hour" indicates an action happens intermittently, with a two-hour interval between each occurrence.