every other question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every other question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to alternating questions in a sequence, typically indicating that you are addressing or responding to questions that are spaced apart by one question in between. Example: "During the interview, I will answer every other question to keep the conversation flowing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

And no again to almost every other question you might ask as you seek the album's organizing principle.

The New York Times - Arts

But on virtually every other question, there was bipartisan agreement to avoid anything that sounds like sacrifice.

The New York Times

Black and white Americans agree that America is ready to elect a black president, but disagree on almost every other question about race in the poll.

The New York Times

Maybe, in whatever time he had left, Carl would work as hard as he could to keep the verdict on that question, along with every other question that pressed in, as far away from his family as humanly possible.

The New Yorker

But as with every other question of the right to control our own bodies and our own fertility, our births and our deaths, the Christians and other religions are pulling out every organ-stop to prevent it.

The Guardian - Opinion

On virtually every other question, however -- whether prison labor helps inmates or is cruel to them, whether it is an economic benefit or a force holding down wages -- the two sides differ vehemently.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Not long ago, I went on a tour of the city's new 311 call center, which Bloomberg created to replace the help line at the D.E.P., along with every other question-and-complaint line in the city.

The New Yorker

But on almost every other poll question, suburban respondents answered in much the same way upstate respondents did.

The New York Times

Is there any other question?

The New York Times

Any other question?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"One other question.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In interview settings, use "every other question" to strategically pace the conversation or to alternate between different types of inquiries.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "every other question" is universally understood. Always provide explicit instructions or context to clarify the intended pattern of selection or response, especially in written materials.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every other question" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "question". It specifies a particular pattern or frequency of questions within a series, indicating that not all questions are being considered or addressed, but rather those separated by one intervening question. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every other question" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe an alternating selection of questions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans various contexts, predominantly in news and media, and it serves to indicate a selective or intermittent pattern. While alternatives like "alternate questions" or "every second question" exist, "every other question" remains the prevalent choice. To ensure clarity, especially in formal settings, providing explicit context or instructions is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternate questions

Emphasizes the alternating nature of the questions.

every second question

Specifies the numerical sequence of the questions.

every alternate question

Rephrases using "alternate" as an adjective before question.

questions in alternation

Highlights the arrangement of questions presented in an alternating sequence.

odd-numbered questions

Refers to questions that hold an odd position in a numbered list.

even-numbered questions

Refers to questions that hold an even position in a numbered list.

intermittent questions

Suggests questions that appear occasionally within a list of items.

alternating inquiries

Uses a more formal word for 'questions'.

questions with gaps

Highlights the spacing between questions

skip-one question

Describes questions in a "skip one" sequence.

FAQs

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

You can use "every other question" to describe a pattern of selection or response. For instance, "I answered "every other question" on the survey to save time."

What does "every other question" mean?

The phrase "every other question" means selecting or considering questions in a sequence, skipping one question between each one you address. It indicates an alternating pattern.

Is it more appropriate to use "every second question" or "every other question"?

Both "every second question" and "every other question" are acceptable, but "every other question" is more common in general usage. "Every second question" is clearer when discussing a precise numerical sequence.

What's a formal alternative to "every other question"?

A more formal alternative could be "alternate questions" or "questions presented in an alternating sequence". These options are suitable for academic or professional contexts.