every other second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every other second" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that occurs alternately, specifically every two seconds. Example: "The light flickered every other second, creating a strobe effect in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There's not shootings every other second".

The New Yorker

Martin told me not to make the mistake of speaking every other second, and I didn't.

Independent

Thank God I was born somewhere there is tragedy and comedy every other second".

The Guardian

"At Last" came out in exclamatory bursts during which her attitude seemed to shift every other second.

The New York Times - Arts

There's always Bolton Luís Fabiano is linked to the Premier League every other second and his speed and strength is suited to the English game.

The Guardian - Sport

That works out to be 46,000 everyday, 31 every minute, and 1 every other second.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

So was yardsale.com and every other second-hand-related name he tried.

The Guardian - Books

More to the point, every other First Couple understood that notice had been served.

The New Yorker

I would be glad to provide the documentation to Ms. Shydlo showing that Oxford's fee schedule is lower than almost every other third-party payor, including Medicare.

The New York Times

The $5 game program featured Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on the cover, yet he and every other first-string teammate did not play for fear that they could get hurt.

The New York Times - Sports

That said, it has been interesting to track his progress on the Tampa Bay Tribune's Winstometer, which charts his weekly numbers against the rookie seasons of every other first-round quarterback since 1980.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing recurring events or actions, use "every other second" to clearly indicate a consistent interval of two seconds between occurrences. For instance, "The sensor blinked "every other second", providing a steady visual cue."

Common error

Avoid using "every other second" when you mean something happens very frequently or rapidly. This phrase specifically indicates an action repeating at two-second intervals, not a near-constant occurrence. Instead of "The notifications were popping up "every other second"," use "The notifications were popping up constantly" or "The notifications were popping up very frequently".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every other second" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the frequency or interval at which an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound. Examples in Ludwig showcase how this phrase is used to describe recurring actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every other second" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that specifies a two-second interval between recurring events. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to provide precise timing information in a clear and concise manner. For more formal or technical writing, alternatives like "at two-second intervals" might be preferred. It's important to avoid using this phrase when describing very frequent actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternating seconds

This alternative directly replaces "every other" with "alternating", focusing on the sequential pattern.

every two seconds

This alternative provides a more explicit numerical specification of the time interval.

every alternate second

Using "alternate" emphasizes the skipping of one second between each occurrence.

at two-second intervals

This phrase emphasizes the regular spacing or gap between occurrences.

each two seconds

Slightly more emphatic, highlighting that each instance happens at a two-second separation.

two seconds apart

This emphasizes the separation in time between events.

every other tick

This alternative uses "tick" to denote a unit of time, suggesting a regular, rhythmic interval.

at a rate of one every two seconds

This specifies the frequency as a rate, suitable for technical contexts.

in two-second cycles

Implies a recurring pattern of two-second durations.

bi-secondly

This is a less common, more formal way to indicate an action occurring every two seconds.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "every other second" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use "at two-second intervals" or "bi-secondly". For example, instead of "The data was transmitted "every other second", try "The data was transmitted "at two-second intervals"".

Is there a difference between "every other second" and "every two seconds"?

While both phrases indicate the same time interval, "every other second" implies a pattern of alternating seconds, whereas "every two seconds" is a more direct statement of frequency. The choice depends on the context and desired emphasis. Both phrases are interchangeable in most contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "every other second" in writing?

Use "every other second" when you want to clearly specify that an action or event repeats consistently with a two-second gap between each occurrence. It's suitable for technical descriptions, observations, and instructions where precision is important.

What are some common synonyms for "every other second"?

Common synonyms include "alternating seconds", "at two-second intervals", and "every two seconds". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.