every two minutes

USAGE SUMMARY

"every two minutes" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that happens repeatedly or at regular intervals of two minutes. Example: The train departs from the station every two minutes, so you won't have to wait long for the next one.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The tickets come "every two minutes," she said.

The New York Times

(It is updated every two minutes).

The New York Times

"You have a deadline every two minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Such things happen every two minutes or so.

The New Yorker

We were taking his clothes in every two minutes.

The New York Times

A train arrived at each platform face every two minutes.

Independent

Every two minutes I was on the phone home.

The Guardian - Opinion

I don't want my attention deflected every two minutes.

The New Yorker

Collectively we would see a lionfish on average every two minutes.

The New York Times

If he's under thirty, yes, he checks it every two minutes.

The New Yorker

By ten-thirty that night, the contractions were coming every two minutes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing recurring events, ensure that using "every two minutes" clearly conveys the intended frequency. Consider rephrasing if the context requires more precise or less frequent intervals.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "every two minutes" with similar phrases like "every other minute", which implies a different, less frequent occurrence. Clarity is key when specifying time intervals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every two minutes" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate how often an action occurs. Ludwig shows that this phrase is often used to specify recurring events or actions at regular intervals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "every two minutes" is a common adverbial phrase indicating the frequency of an event. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Its purpose is to provide a clear indication of regularly recurring actions. While the register is generally neutral, clarity and context are essential to avoid ambiguity. Remember to use it carefully, considering potential confusion with similar phrases. To achieve the desired clarity, consider alternatives like "every couple of minutes" or "at two-minute intervals" if the context allows.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every couple of minutes

Replaces "two" with "couple", indicating a similar but slightly less precise frequency.

at two-minute intervals

Changes the structure to emphasize the interval itself.

every 120 seconds

Provides the same time frame using seconds instead of minutes.

occurring every two minutes

Adds the verb "occurring" to explicitly state that something happens at the specified frequency.

regularly every two minutes

Adds "regularly" to emphasize the consistent nature of the frequency.

each two minutes

Uses "each" instead of "every" to denote the frequency.

on a two-minute basis

Rephrases the frequency as a condition or schedule.

bi-minutely

Uses a single word to convey "every two minutes", which is less common.

every other minute

This could cause confusion, suggesting every second minute rather than a duration of two minutes.

at short intervals

Generalizes the timeframe to simply indicate short, recurring periods.

FAQs

How can I use "every two minutes" in a sentence?

You can use "every two minutes" to describe the frequency of an event. For example, "The website updates its data "every two minutes"."

What's a synonym for "every two minutes"?

Alternatives include "every couple of minutes" or "at two-minute intervals", depending on the desired level of precision and formality.

Is it correct to say 'each two minutes' instead of "every two minutes"?

While "each two minutes" might be understood, "every two minutes" is the more common and natural phrasing.

What does "every two minutes" imply about the timing of events?

It suggests a regular, consistent recurrence of something at intervals of two minutes. For example, if a train arrives "every two minutes", passengers can expect one that frequently.