in the second semester

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "in the second semester" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the second semester of the school year, or in any other context involving a period of time that is divided into two semesters. For example: "I took the course in the second semester and found it to be quite challenging."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the second semester, she raised her grades in almost every class, except one.

The New York Times

(Billy Baron played only in the second semester this season after transferring from Virginia).

The New York Times - Sports

The finest legal minds therefore often surface in the second semester, and thereafter.

The New York Times

So she is working on a second novel, with the same characters, now in the second semester of sixth grade.

The New York Times

I begin to edit a paper that clearly reflects that I am in the second semester of my senior year.

The New York Times

In the second semester, students focused on particular topics, and Mr. Obama wrote a lengthy paper about how to negotiate with the Soviets to cut nuclear arsenals.

The New York Times

In the second semester of his junior year, Posey earned a 3.8 grade point average, mainly in business and finance classes.

The New York Times - Sports

A few days later, he bought his second Olney, and after that it seemed quite reasonable to call his parents, in Birmingham, to say he was quitting school in the second semester of his senior year to cook.

The New Yorker

Covers readings in Koine Greek of the Gospel of John (in the second semester, the Galatian epistle), with an emphasis on Greek syntax, grammar, exegesis and some textual criticism.

The New York Times

No protective effects were found in the second semester.

Journal of School Psychology

Phylogenetics is covered, briefly, in the second semester of that course.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "in the second semester", ensure the context clearly establishes what timeframe the semester refers to (e.g., academic year, program year).

Common error

Avoid using "in the second semester" without specifying the year or academic program, as this can lead to confusion. Always provide enough context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the second semester" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an action or event takes place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and usable in written English. This usage is supported by numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the second semester" is a common and grammatically correct way to specify a timeframe within an academic year or any period divided into two semesters. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, including science, news media, and general writing. It's essential to provide sufficient context to clarify which academic year or program the phrase refers to. While alternatives like "during the spring semester" or "second term" exist, the original phrase remains a clear and widely accepted choice for indicating the latter half of a defined period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the spring semester

Specifies the season in which the second semester typically occurs, adding seasonal context.

in the latter half of the academic year

Refers to the second part of the academic year, focusing on the yearly division.

second term

Uses "term" instead of "semester", implying a different academic division but similar timing.

in the back half of the year

Emphasizes the latter portion of the year, broader than just the academic context.

the subsequent semester

Focuses on the semester that follows the first, indicating a sequence.

in the second academic session

Replaces "semester" with "academic session", providing a more formal tone.

during the final half of the course

Refers to the latter part of a specific course, rather than the academic year generally.

later in the school year

Generalizes the timeframe to a less specific point later in the academic year.

in the second period

Refer to any time period, not only the academic calendar

after the mid-year break

Focuses on the period following the mid-year break, marking the start of the second semester.

FAQs

How can I use "in the second semester" in a sentence?

You can use "in the second semester" to specify when an event or activity occurs within an academic year. For example: "The research project will be conducted "in the second semester" of the 2025-2026 academic year."

What is an alternative to saying "in the second semester"?

Alternatives include "during the spring semester", "in the latter half of the academic year", or "second term", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "in the second semester" when referring to a non-academic timeframe?

While "in the second semester" is typically used in academic contexts, it can be adapted to any situation where a period is divided into two halves. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion.

What's the difference between "in the first semester" and "in the second semester"?

"In the first semester" refers to the initial half of a school year or program, while "in the second semester" indicates the latter half. The key difference is the timing within the academic year.