on alternate days

USAGE SUMMARY

"on alternate days" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "on alternate days" when you are referring to something that happens every other day. For example: "I will be going to the gym on alternate days."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Each patient was given1 session per day 3 times a week (on alternate days).

BMC Pediatrics

It is raked and turned over entirely on alternate days.

The New Yorker

Daily Mail on alternate days to spice up the porridge breakfast.

The Guardian

On alternate days, the crews repaired flooded engines, battered hulls and broken gearboxes.

The New York Times - Sports

Half took 600 international units of vitamin E on alternate days; the rest took a placebo.

The New York Times - Health

On alternate days — rest days, he calls them — he runs an hour and a half.

The New York Times - Sports

Judith loved and hated her husband, on alternate days, sometimes even in the same instant.

The New Yorker

Drivers with plates ending in odd and even numbers will buy gas on alternate days.

The New York Times

In Athens, cars are allowed to enter only on alternate days.

The Economist

and four of the other with saline on alternate days.

Behavioural Brain Research

On alternate days they were placed in the preferred compartment.

Physiology & Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider specifying the starting day when using "on alternate days", especially if the context isn't immediately obvious. For example, "Starting Monday, the medication should be taken on alternate days."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating the initial day. Without a clear starting point, readers might misinterpret when the action or event is supposed to occur, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on alternate days" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the frequency or timing of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on alternate days" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something occurs every other day. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, with numerous examples from science and news media. While alternatives like "every other day" exist, "on alternate days" provides a clear and precise way to schedule activities, treatments, or observations. When using this phrase, ensure the context or a clear starting point is established to prevent misinterpretation. The phrase enjoys widespread use across various formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every other day

This is a more common and straightforward way to express the same frequency.

every second day

This alternative emphasizes the numerical sequence of days.

on alternating days

This uses the verb form of "alternate" to describe the pattern.

every odd day

This specifies using odd-numbered days assuming a sequence is being tracked.

every even day

This specifies using even-numbered days assuming a sequence is being tracked.

on a bi-diurnal basis

This offers a more formal and somewhat uncommon way to express the frequency.

on non-consecutive days

This emphasizes the lack of back-to-back occurrences.

every weekday

This is useful to indicate that something happens every day, but excluding weekends.

at two-day intervals

This focuses on the gap between occurrences rather than the specific days.

certain days

Useful when specifying particular days that do not form any particular pattern.

FAQs

How can I use "on alternate days" in a sentence?

You can use "on alternate days" to describe an action or event that happens every other day. For example, "The medicine should be taken "on alternate days"." or "I go to the gym "on alternate days"."

What are some alternatives to saying "on alternate days"?

Some alternatives to "on alternate days" include "every other day", "every second day", or "on alternating days".

Is it better to say "on alternate days" or "every other day"?

Both "on alternate days" and "every other day" are grammatically correct and widely understood. "Every other day" is generally considered more common and slightly less formal.

What does "on alternate days" mean?

"On alternate days" means that something happens every other day, skipping one day in between each occurrence. It indicates a frequency of occurrence that is not daily but rather with a one-day interval.