every twelve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every twelve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a recurring event or occurrence that happens at intervals of twelve, such as months, hours, or any other unit of measure. Example: "The train arrives every twelve minutes, so we should not be late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Jake Tapper points out that events in Egypt have put the White House in a tizzy, changing their tune on what's going on seemingly "every twelve hours".

Huffington Post

(One animal was killed every twelve seconds).

The New Yorker

Now, imagine an animal that emerges every twelve years, like a cicada.

The New Yorker

Being there was equivalent to receiving a chest X-ray every twelve hours.

The New Yorker

(Every twelve months, the Census Bureau raises the income cutoffs slightly to take inflation into account).

The New Yorker

Dips: An essential accompaniment to an Art Opening, and there is an Art Opening every twelve minutes.

The New Yorker

One other item is included in the B.L.S. "maintenance" budget: a new car every twelve to eighteen years.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

In this predicted orbit, HIP 78530 b completes an orbit every twelve thousand years.

Wikipedia

Revenues are up 88% during the recession and one-out-of-every-twelve domestic flights in India is booked via MakeMyTrip.com.

TechCrunch

It brings together almost every twelve-inch vinyl single on the Skull Disco label, which is owned by the producers Appleblim and Shackleton.

The New Yorker

The point is that with every sip of Bud, every twelve-pack, every case or car trunkful of Bud, the strictest Anheuser-Busch moral code is being imbibed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "every twelve" to describe time intervals, ensure the unit of time (hours, months, years) is clear from the context. For instance, "every twelve months" is more precise than just "every twelve" if you're referring to annual events.

Common error

Avoid using "every twelve" without specifying the unit of measurement (e.g., days, weeks, months). This can lead to ambiguity and confusion. Always clarify the context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every twelve" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying the frequency or proportion of an event or item within a group. This is supported by Ludwig examples showing its use in contexts ranging from time intervals to statistical occurrences, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every twelve" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate occurrences or proportions related to the number twelve. As Ludwig AI points out, its straightforward nature makes it applicable across various contexts, from describing time intervals to statistical distributions. While versatile, clarity is crucial: always specify the units being measured to avoid ambiguity. Common contexts include news, scientific literature, and general information. Despite its prevalence, precise language ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in intervals of twelve

Specifies that something occurs after each period of twelve units.

at twelve intervals

Similar to above, but slightly more concise.

each dozen

Replaces "every twelve" with a more concise term referring to a group of twelve.

once per twelve

Expresses a frequency of once in every set of twelve units.

every dozen instances

Highlights the repetition after groups of twelve instances.

per dozen

Expresses a rate or proportion based on a group of twelve.

each set of dozen

Indicates that something applies to each complete group of twelve.

for every group of twelve

Stresses the collective aspect of each set of twelve.

in sets of a dozen

Focuses on the arrangement into groups of twelve.

for each set of twelve

Emphasizes the grouping of twelve before each instance.

FAQs

How can I use "every twelve" in a sentence?

You can use "every twelve" to describe events that happen at intervals of twelve units of time or measurement. For example, "The conference is held "every twelve months"" or "A new election happens "every twelve years"".

What's an alternative to saying "every twelve"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "each dozen", "per dozen", or "in intervals of twelve". For example, instead of "every twelve months", you could say "annually".

Is it better to say "every twelve months" or "annually"?

While both are correct, ""every twelve months"" is more explicit and less formal. "Annually" is more concise and appropriate for formal writing.

What does "every twelve" mean in a statistical context?

In statistics, "every twelve" might refer to a sample interval or a recurring observation within a data set. For instance, "One in "every twelve patients" experiences side effects" indicates a proportional occurrence.