on alternating weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on alternating weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or activity that occurs every other week. Example: "The book club meets on alternating weeks, so our next meeting will be in two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The two were in chemotherapy, sometimes on alternating weeks, sometimes side by side.

The New York Times

Since the divorce, the two share custody equally, taking Jacob on alternating weeks and frequently discussing his care.

The New York Times

Guerrillas and paramilitaries, he said, started invading the town last December on alternating weeks, killing the corn, banana and rice farmers and their families at random.

The New York Times

With live jazz and country music on alternating weeks, the atmosphere is as retro as the orange leather banquettes, vintage Detroit photographs and scuffed instruments hanging on the walls.

The New York Times

The study was conducted prospectively during a period of 9 months (November 17, 2003 – July 31 , 2004 on alternating weeks at the University Hospital Basel, a 700-bed hospital in Northwestern Switzerland providing primary and tertiary care for adult patients.

BMC Infectious Diseases

In this case, the parents split the week or take the child on alternating weeks.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

On alternate weeks, professors will go to the middle schools to observe how well the lessons are being implemented.

The New York Times

It said the site, in its last incarnation, was staffed by two people "working part time on alternate weeks".

The Guardian

Add these liquid feeds to your watering can and use on alternate weeks to keep plants sprightly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On alternate weeks my wife and I grab the hoover, grip the bucket laden with surface cleaners of all descriptions and assault the house from top to bottom.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Alvarez is the managing director for the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, whose productions are presented in English and Spanish on alternate weeks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, especially when writing for a broad audience, consider using "every other week" instead of "on alternating weeks" as it is more commonly understood. When precision is necessary, specify the start date of the alternating schedule to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "alternate weeks" when you mean "alternating weeks". "Alternate" as an adjective describes something being one of two options, whereas "alternating" describes a pattern of occurrence. For instance, use "alternate routes" for multiple routes, but "alternating weeks" for something happening every other week.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on alternating weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurs. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on alternating weeks" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that something occurs every other week. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it is less common than alternatives like "every other week" or "biweekly". It appears mostly in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure that "alternating" is used correctly to describe a recurring pattern, and consider your audience when choosing between "on alternating weeks" and more common alternatives for clarity. Remember to specify the start date to remove any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every other week

Replaces the preposition "on" with "every", offering a more concise alternative.

biweekly

A single word that directly conveys the meaning of occurring every two weeks.

in alternate weeks

Swaps the position of preposition and adjective without changing the meaning

on a biweekly basis

Adds "basis" for emphasis, slightly formalizing the phrase.

once every two weeks

Expands the phrase for clarity, specifying the frequency.

on a fortnightly basis

Uses "fortnightly", a less common but equivalent term to biweekly, to provide variety.

every second week

Uses an ordinal number, emphasizing the sequential nature of the pattern.

week about

A more colloquial term conveying the same frequency.

on a two-week rotation

Emphasizes the cyclical aspect of the event occurring.

occurring every other week

Transforms the phrase into a participial phrase.

FAQs

What does "on alternating weeks" mean?

The phrase "on alternating weeks" means something happens every other week. For example, "The garbage is collected "every other week"" or "biweekly", is the same as saying "The garbage is collected on alternating weeks".

Which is correct, "on alternate weeks" or "on alternating weeks"?

While both phrases are encountered, "on alternating weeks" is generally considered more grammatically sound. "Alternate" describes one of multiple options, whereas "alternating" describes a recurring pattern. Therefore, for describing something that happens every other week, "on alternating weeks" is usually preferred.

What are some alternatives to "on alternating weeks"?

Some alternatives to "on alternating weeks" include ""every other week"", "biweekly", "once every two weeks", or "on a biweekly basis". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

How can I use "on alternating weeks" in a sentence?

You can use "on alternating weeks" to describe schedules, routines, or any event that happens every other week. For example, "The team meetings are held "on alternating weeks" to accommodate different schedules" or "The medication should be taken "on alternating weeks"".