every other week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every other week" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something with a frequency of twice a month, or fourteen days. For example: "I send in my report to my supervisor every other week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I make one about every other week.

The New York Times

Now I fly maybe every other week.

The New York Times

Video viewings every other week.

Princeton University

One manuscript every other week.

Princeton University

Dance studies every other week.

Princeton University

It appears every other week.

The New York Times

They converse every other week.

The New York Times

The UA Senate meets every other week.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(1) One manuscript every other week.

Princeton University

Sulfur samples are run every other week.

University of California, Berkeley

"Every other week," Mr. Giorgio replies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, especially in formal writing, consider using "once every two weeks" instead of the idiomatic "every other week" to avoid potential ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "every other week" means "twice a week". It specifically means once every two weeks. If you intend "twice a week", state it explicitly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every other week" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the frequency of an action or event. Ludwig provides many examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

37%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "every other week" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something occurs once every two weeks. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to use it correctly to avoid misinterpretations, especially in formal settings where clarity is paramount. Alternatives like "biweekly" or "once every two weeks" offer more precise options. When used appropriately, "every other week" serves as a convenient and easily understandable way to describe frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biweekly

A single word that directly conveys the same frequency.

once every two weeks

A more explicit and less idiomatic way of stating the frequency.

every second week

Uses 'second' instead of 'other' to indicate the alternating pattern.

semi-monthly

Indicates twice a month which is very close to the original meaning.

twice a month

Expresses the frequency in terms of monthly occurrences.

at fourteen-day intervals

A more formal and precise description of the time interval.

every fortnight

Uses the word 'fortnight', which means two weeks.

on alternate weeks

Highlights the alternating nature of the occurrence.

at intervals of two weeks

Emphasizes the spacing of two weeks between occurrences.

at a frequency of two weeks

Specifies the frequency as a duration.

FAQs

What does "every other week" mean?

"Every other week" means something happens once every two weeks, or twice a month.

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

You can say, "I submit my report "every other week"" or "The meeting is scheduled for "every other week"".

What's a simple alternative to "every other week"?

A simpler alternative is "biweekly", which directly means the same thing.

Is it better to say "every other week" or "once every two weeks"?

Both "every other week" and "once every two weeks" are correct. "Once every two weeks" is more explicit and may be preferred for formal contexts where clarity is crucial.