every second week

USAGE SUMMARY

"every second week" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to how often something occurs over a period of time (i.e. a recurring pattern or schedule). For example, "I go to the market every second week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can't have a death every second week.

The Guardian - Opinion

Carbon was added as an aqueous sucrose solution (50 g C m−2) every second week during snow-free period.

Applied Soil Ecology

The present study was designed to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of first-line irinotecan, fluorouracil, and folinate (FOLFIRI) plus cetuximab every second week according to PTEN expression.

Clinical Colorectal Cancer

Every second week until slaughter (10 12 times, i.e. 20 24 weeks) the pigs were weighed and faecal as well as blood samples were collected.

Veterinary Microbiology

Now it carries recycled newspapers to the front of the Kahn house for pickup every second week.

The New York Times

It does not bode well, especially when the Dragons play rugby union on it every second week.

The Guardian - Sport

About every second week the class is replaced by a 1-day seminar.

Science Magazine

During the growth period, plant height was measured every second week and final harvest took place 8 weeks after sowing.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

I'm not sure how playing Orkney every second week will help similar players get their chance.

BBC

"I take drugs probably every second week—I'm not hooked on anything.

Vice

Every second week though, he picks up chicken from 15 different Nando's restaurants.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, especially in technical writing, consider using "every other week" or "once every two weeks" to avoid any ambiguity that might arise from "biweekly".

Common error

Avoid using "biweekly" as a direct replacement for "every second week" if clarity is paramount. "Biweekly" can mean twice a week or every two weeks, leading to confusion. Always opt for less ambiguous phrasings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every second week" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying a verb or clause to indicate how often an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "every second week" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase indicating an action's occurrence once every two weeks. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's wise to be mindful of context. In particular, avoiding ambiguous terms like "biweekly" is advisable for maintaining clarity in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "every other week" or "once every two weeks" depending on the desired level of precision. This expression appears commonly in scientific and news-related contexts. So, ensure its usage aligns with the intended audience and purpose to maintain a professional or neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every other week

A common and direct alternative that clearly indicates the alternating nature of the frequency.

occurring every two weeks

A straightforward and descriptive alternative that clearly states the frequency of occurrence.

once every two weeks

A more explicit and less ambiguous way to state the frequency, removing any potential for misinterpretation.

biweekly

A more concise, single-word replacement. However, it can sometimes be ambiguous (meaning twice a week or every two weeks), so context is important.

every fourteen days

A precise alternative that specifies the exact number of days between occurrences.

fortnightly

A single word denoting something that occurs every two weeks. It is more common in British English.

at intervals of two weeks

A more formal and descriptive way to express the timing, suitable for technical or precise contexts.

at a frequency of two weeks

Highlights the rate at which something happens, emphasizing the frequency.

on a two-week cycle

Emphasizes the cyclical nature of the event or action, highlighting a recurring pattern.

on a semi-monthly basis

Focuses on the regularity of the event, suggesting a consistent schedule each month.

FAQs

What does "every second week" mean?

The phrase "every second week" means something happens once every two weeks, or on an alternating weekly schedule.

Is it better to say "every second week" or "every other week"?

Both "every second week" and "every other week" are correct and generally interchangeable, though "every other week" might be slightly more common in everyday conversation.

What's a single word I can use instead of "every second week"?

You can use "biweekly" or "fortnightly", but be cautious. "Biweekly" can be ambiguous, meaning either twice a week or "every second week". "Fortnightly" is clearer but more common in British English.

How can I rephrase "every second week" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "at intervals of two weeks" or "occurring every two weeks" for greater precision and clarity.