once every two weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

"once every two weeks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happens, or is done, every two weeks. For example, "I go to the grocery store once every two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I see her once every two weeks.

The New York Times

Now he operates "once every two weeks" on such patients.

The Guardian

I call it my book tax to buy a book there once every two weeks.

The New York Times

Then he laughed softly and said, "We have this conversation at least once every two weeks".

The New Yorker

I risk a latte only about once every two weeks, though.

The Economist

I would say we talk once a week, once every two weeks.

The New York Times - Magazine

I went once a week, then once every two weeks, then once a month.

The New Yorker

"Now we eat a little meat only once every two weeks".

The New York Times

Half of the patients received alirocumab — injecting themselves once every two weeks.

The New York Times

He was allowed a visit from a member of his immediate family once every two weeks.

The New York Times

They try to meet once a week, or once every two weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once every two weeks" to clearly specify the frequency of an event or action when precision is needed. It avoids ambiguity compared to terms like "biweekly", which can mean both twice a week and once every two weeks.

Common error

Avoid using "biweekly" if clarity is paramount. Some interpret it as twice a week, others as every two weeks. "Once every two weeks" removes this ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once every two weeks" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying a verb to specify how often an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used. For example, "I visit my parents once every two weeks."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

24%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "once every two weeks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase specifying the frequency of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While alternatives like "biweekly" exist, "once every two weeks" offers greater clarity to prevent confusion. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications, demonstrating its versatility. Using this phrase helps ensure clear communication regarding time intervals in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every two weeks

This omits the word "once" and keeps the frequency.

every other week

This phrase is a direct alternative, emphasizing the alternating nature of the occurrence.

every second week

This alternative emphasizes the alternating nature of the occurrence, similar to "every other week".

biweekly

This is a single-word adjective or adverb meaning "occurring every two weeks" or "twice a week". It's more concise but can be ambiguous.

fortnightly

This is a single-word adverb, synonymous, but less common in American English.

every fourteen days

This uses a more precise measure of time, which can be useful in technical or scientific contexts.

at intervals of two weeks

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the consistent spacing of time.

two-week intervals

This variation highlights the length of the period in between events.

at a frequency of two weeks

Similar meaning, but more formal and technical.

on a semi-monthly basis

Describes something happening twice a month.

FAQs

How do I use "once every two weeks" in a sentence?

You can use "once every two weeks" to describe how often something occurs. For example, "The report is updated "once every two weeks"".

What can I say instead of "once every two weeks"?

Alternatives include "every other week", "biweekly" (though this can be ambiguous), or "fortnightly".

Is it better to say "once every two weeks" or "biweekly"?

"Once every two weeks" is clearer because "biweekly" can also mean twice a week. To avoid confusion, "once every two weeks" is preferred for events occurring every fourteen days.

What's the difference between "once every two weeks" and "twice a month"?

"Once every two weeks" is more regular, occurring exactly 14 days apart. "Twice a month" is less precise, as months vary in length, so the interval might not be exactly two weeks.