on alternate weekends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on alternate weekends" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or activity that occurs every other weekend. Example: "We go hiking on alternate weekends to explore new trails and enjoy nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And they could probably acquire the Ron Paul blimp on alternate weekends if no one else is using it!

Huffington Post

For one or two nights a week, and on alternate weekends, friends come to stay at Sissinghurst and she cooks for them - though her husband 'is so not a foodie and never lifts a finger'.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I only came home on alternate weekends.

The New York Times - Magazine

Different sets of residents would arrive on alternate weekends.

The New York Times

They usually visit the house on alternate weekends.

The New York Times - Travel

His daughter stays with him on alternate weekends, and he has never canceled a visit.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

And, to add insult to injury, many of them were relegated to visits with their children on alternating weekends and one night per week.

Huffington Post

I'd been divorced for several years by then and saw my kids on alternating weekends, a schedule that makes a stuttering flip-card movie of fatherhood.

The New Yorker

Odd or even numbers would be permitted to travel the freeways on alternating weekends.

Huffington Post

Brit Brit will set up shop at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino for two years' worth of shows on alternating weekends, according to the Las Vegas Sun, which predicts casting will begin in late September or early October in L.A. Gwyneth Paltrow's 'un-fun' night at the Met Gala.

Los Angeles Times

As a subscriber in New York, I felt like the child who walks into the house to hear Mom explain that Dad is gone and can be visited on Wednesdays and alternate weekends.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events, clarify if "on alternate weekends" refers to the beginning or the end of the two-week cycle to avoid confusion.

Common error

Ensure both parties understand which weekend starts the "on alternate weekends" schedule. State explicitly: "starting the weekend of [date]" to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on alternate weekends" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying when an action or event takes place. Ludwig examples show it frequently modifying verbs related to visiting, staying, or scheduling events. The phrase adds a level of detail about the timing of recurring activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on alternate weekends" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe events that occur every other weekend, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While slightly less common than alternatives like "every other weekend", it's widely accepted and used in various contexts, especially in news and media. To avoid confusion, it's crucial to clarify the starting point of the schedule. Be precise in your writing, and you'll effectively communicate your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on alternating weekends

Similar phrase with slight lexical variation.

every other weekend

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary to express the same frequency.

bi-weekly on weekends

This alternative specifies the frequency using "bi-weekly".

every second weekend

This option uses ordinal numbers to indicate frequency.

weekends on a rotating basis

This phrase emphasizes the cyclical nature of the schedule.

on a bi-weekly weekend schedule

This alternative rephrases using "schedule" as a noun.

once every two weekends

This expands the time frame to clarify the frequency.

weekends in rotation

Emphasizes that weekends are being shared.

every fortnight on weekends

Uses "fortnight" to mean two weeks.

on a two-weekend cycle

Describes the frequency as a cycle.

FAQs

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

You can use "on alternate weekends" to describe events or schedules that occur every other weekend. For example, "The children visit their father "on alternate weekends"".

What's a simple way to say "on alternate weekends"?

A simpler way to express the same idea is to say "every other weekend". This is easily understandable and widely used.

Is there a difference between "on alternate weekends" and "on alternating weekends"?

The phrases ""on alternate weekends"" and "on alternating weekends" are nearly synonymous and are generally interchangeable. Both indicate a pattern of every other weekend.

Are "bi-weekly" and "on alternate weekends" the same?

While "bi-weekly" can mean twice a week or every two weeks, in the context of weekends, ""on alternate weekends"" is clearer because it specifically means every two weeks. It's more precise to avoid ambiguity.