every second person

USAGE SUMMARY

"every second person" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation when every other person, or alternate persons, fits a certain criterion. For example, "Every second person in the room had a blue shirt on".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"Every second person is an actor.

The New York Times - Arts

Walking in the park, every second person sports a different item of team kit.

Independent

Every second person lives in poverty and economic growth is negative.

The Guardian

But every second person in the United States was, and is, on something or other often enough.

The New York Times - Books

"Look, it's two o'clock in the afternoon and every second person on this high street is a former miner looking for a decent job.

The Guardian

It was a fairly typical exchange in this part of the world, where virtually every second person is a world-class athlete.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Every fourth person in Lebanon is now a Syrian.

The New Yorker

Every fifth person on the street toted a pouch containing a bonneted larva.

The New Yorker

"Every third person was shooting heroin," says Gossard, remembering Seattle when Pearl Jam first started.

The Guardian - Music

Today, every fifth person living in Germany is "of non-German background".

The New Yorker

Of course on Dad's orders every fourth person in the crowd is Secret Service.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "every second person" to convey a sense of high frequency or prevalence without needing exact numerical data. This is particularly effective in descriptive writing or casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "every second person" when a more precise statistic is available or necessary. Overusing estimations can undermine credibility in formal or scientific contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every second person" functions as a quantifier, indicating an approximate proportion or frequency. It is used to suggest that something applies to roughly half of a group or population. Ludwig AI indicates that this is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every second person" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating that approximately half of a given group shares a trait or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile across various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media, followed by scientific publications. For formal writing, consider substituting it with more precise language. Always ensure the phrase aligns with the context and your desired level of accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one in two people

Uses a ratio format, emphasizing the odds of a person being affected.

almost half the people

Specifies a quantity that is close to half, implying a near 50% proportion.

roughly half the individuals

Indicates an estimation with a level of uncertainty.

around half of the people

Uses 'around' to imply an approximation.

approximately 50% of individuals

Expresses the concept as a percentage, giving a statistical feel.

half the population

Highlights that 50% of a population is affected, giving a demographic perspective.

close to half of all people

Specifies a quantity that is near half, implying a small degree of approximation.

nearly 50 percent of persons

Uses percentage to indicate proportion and replace 'individuals' with 'persons'.

almost 50% of the group

Uses percentage to indicate proportion.

just under half the group

Indicates the number is a little bit less than half the group.

FAQs

How can I use "every second person" in a sentence?

Use "every second person" to indicate that roughly half of a group or population shares a characteristic or engages in a specific behavior. For example, "Every second person on the street was wearing a mask".

What are some alternatives to saying "every second person"?

Alternatives include "almost half the people", "one in two people", or "roughly half the individuals", depending on the context and desired level of precision.

Is it appropriate to use "every second person" in formal writing?

While "every second person" is generally acceptable, formal writing often benefits from more precise language. Consider using specific statistics or phrases like "approximately 50% of individuals" for greater clarity.

What's the difference between "every second person" and "every other person"?

The phrases "every second person" and "every other person" are essentially interchangeable. Both indicate that individuals are selected or affected in an alternating sequence. Use them as synonyms.