every three months

USAGE SUMMARY

"every three months" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happens on a quarterly basis, such as an activity, payment, or other event. For example, you could say "I pay my bills every three months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It changes every three months.

Princeton University

We moved every three months.

The New York Times

And it's there, updated every three months.

Yale University

Soil sampling was carried out every three months.

Geoderma

Now it's probably once every three months".

The New York Times - Sports

Users have "periods" once every three months.

The New York Times - Health

Economic output could double every three months.

Harvard Business Review

Do a deeper dive every three months.

Harvard Business Review

One tape for every three months.

The Guardian

Every three months I make tough decisions, and every three months they're never enough.

The Guardian

A: Passwords should be changed at least every three months.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing recurring events, ensure clarity by specifying the starting point or reference period (e.g., "starting January, payments are due every three months").

Common error

Avoid using "every three months" when a more precise time frame is required. If dates vary slightly, consider using "quarterly" or specifying the exact dates instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every three months" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying a verb to indicate how often an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "every three months" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something occurs quarterly. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, from academic and scientific research to news reporting and general communication. While "quarterly" serves as a more concise and formal alternative, "every three months" provides clarity and can be readily understood across different audiences. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in describing recurring events, schedules, and updates, making it a valuable tool in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quarterly

Single-word adjective describing something that happens every three months.

on a quarterly basis

More formal way to express the same frequency.

every quarter

Uses "quarter" instead of specifying "three months".

once a quarter

Emphasizes the single occurrence within each three-month period.

three times a year

Expresses the same frequency using a yearly perspective.

at three-month intervals

Highlights the consistent spacing between occurrences.

every 90 days

More precise, specifying the approximate number of days.

at the end of each quarter

Indicates that the event happens at the conclusion of each three-month period.

four times per year

Alternative phrasing using "per year" instead of "a year".

in three-month cycles

Highlights the cyclical nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "every three months"?

Consider using alternatives like "quarterly", "on a quarterly basis", or "every quarter" to add variety to your writing.

Is it correct to say "every 3 months" instead of "every three months"?

Yes, "every 3 months" is a common and acceptable abbreviation, especially in tables or informal contexts, but "every three months" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What is the difference between "every three months" and "seasonally"?

"Every three months" refers to a fixed quarterly interval. "Seasonally" implies a connection to the seasons of the year, which are also roughly three months long but tied to specific periods like spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

How to use "every three months" in a sentence?

You can use "every three months" to describe recurring events, such as "The reports are updated "every three months"" or "We conduct inspections "every three months"".