on a semiannual basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a semiannual basis" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something occurs or is done twice a year. Example: Our company reviews employee performance on a semiannual basis, providing them with feedback and setting new goals every six months.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Coming from a man whose reputation rests on his ability to reveal the future on a semiannual basis, this statement has a wistful poignancy.

The New York Times - Magazine

This position was created by the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation (Section 1108 in Title XI) but has gone unfilled for nearly three years – clearly not in line with the intentions of legislators, who even specified that this official should testify before Congress on a semiannual basis.

The New York Times

Statutorily, methane emission rate from landfills in Germany shall be examined on a semiannual basis; however, an appropriate approach has yet to be developed and adopted for general use.

Waste Management

Patients were assessed on a semiannual basis between 1998 and 2009.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

These include telephone-based client experience surveys which have been conducted since 2000 on a semiannual basis.

BMJ Open

All partners agreed to collect this information in the future and recommended that these data be collected on a semiannual basis.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Eastman Kodak Company increased its dividend for the first time in four years and said it would shift payments to a semiannual basis from quarterly.

The New York Times

The Uniform Crime Reports bulletin is a statistical analysis of local crime on an annual and semiannual basis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Figure 1 presents incidence data for YF cases within different departments of Peru and demonstrates that sporadic cases occur on an annual or semiannual basis within tropical and subtropical montane forests (30 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

There are no established guidelines stating when this should occur; regardless, patient follow-up needs to take place at least on an annual if not semiannual basis to determine if lesions have resolved, new AK lesions have occurred, and to screen for more invasive lesions.

Clinical interventions in aging

Go for bonds whose rates reset on a quarterly basis rather than a semiannual or longer interval, he says, so you don't have to wait for the Federal Reserve's rate increases to flow through to you.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a semiannual basis", ensure the context clearly benefits from its specificity. Simpler alternatives like "twice a year" might suffice for general audiences. Choose "on a semiannual basis" when you want to sound more formal or technical.

Common error

Avoid confusing "on a semiannual basis" (twice a year) with "on a biennial basis" (every two years). Using the wrong term can drastically alter the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a semiannual basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency with which an action occurs. It specifies that something happens twice a year. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a semiannual basis" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify that something occurs twice a year. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while it's less common than simpler alternatives like "twice a year", it is appropriate in professional and scientific contexts. It's crucial not to confuse it with "on a biennial basis". The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources. Alternatives such as "twice yearly" or "every six months" can be used for clarity in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twice yearly

This alternative directly replaces "semiannual" with its numerical equivalent, simplifying the phrasing.

every six months

This option provides a more explicit timeframe, clarifying the frequency of the action or event.

biannually

A single-word adverb synonymous with "semiannually", offering a more concise option.

semi-yearly

A hyphenated variant of 'semiannually', maintaining similar formality and directness.

two times a year

Breaks down the frequency into simpler, more understandable terms.

on a half-yearly basis

Uses 'half-yearly' as a direct substitute for 'semiannual', retaining a similar level of formality.

every second semester

This suggests an academic context, where events are scheduled around semesters.

at six-month intervals

This phrase provides a more technical and precise description of the timing.

on a bi-annual basis

While 'bi-annual' can be ambiguous, in many contexts it is used synonymously with 'semiannual'.

twice per annum

This option uses a more formal and Latinate term for 'year'.

FAQs

What does "on a semiannual basis" mean?

The phrase "on a semiannual basis" means something happens or is done twice a year, or every six months.

What can I say instead of "on a semiannual basis"?

You can use alternatives like "twice yearly", "every six months", or "biannually" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "on a biannual basis" instead of "on a semiannual basis"?

While "biannual" is sometimes used to mean twice a year, it can also mean every two years. To avoid ambiguity, it's best to use "on a semiannual basis" or "twice a year" for clarity.

How do I use "on a semiannual basis" in a sentence?

You can use "on a semiannual basis" to describe how often something occurs. For example: "The company releases its financial reports on a semiannual basis."