semi-annually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "semi-annually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or actions that occur twice a year. Example: "The company holds semi-annual meetings to discuss financial performance and future strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

ESAF financing is through concessional loans that carry an annual interest rate of 0.5percent with repayments semi-annually beginning five and a half years and ending ten years after each disbursement.

FAO

In De Montfort example, the interest rate is 5.375% per annum, payable semi-annually.

The Guardian

Charity shops are apparently inexhaustible wells, but sellers also turn to libraries, which sell or donate titles by the pallet; others head to elementary schools, where children's reading material tends to be rebuilt semi-annually.

The Guardian - Books

Interest will be paid semi-annually.

BBC

According to Molly Graham, who helped build Facebook's performance-management system, employees are evaluated semi-annually.

TechCrunch

They, along with The VR Fund, will update the landscape semi-annually.

TechCrunch

Bootcamps that join the CIRR will release graduation and placement data semi-annually.

TechCrunch

In 2002, mainland changed its reporting frequency from semi-annually since inception in 1993 to quarterly.

Frontiers of Business Research in China

The maturity of the swap is five years and payment is made semi-annually.

Mathematics-in-Industry Case Studies

They must, hereafter report semi-annually, giving a complete list of holdings, together with actual costs and market values.

Forbes

While most bonds pay dividends semi-annually, the periods can range from monthly to a single payment upon bond maturity.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for an international audience, consider using "twice a year" instead of "semi-annually" to avoid potential confusion, as some readers may misinterpret "bi-annually" as every two years.

Common error

Avoid using "bi-annually" when you mean "semi-annually". "Bi-annually" can be misinterpreted as occurring every two years (biennially), while "semi-annually" clearly means twice a year.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "semi-annually" functions to modify verbs, indicating the frequency with which an action or event occurs. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it specifies that something happens twice per year or every six months.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "semi-annually" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase indicating that something occurs twice a year. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and wide applicability. While synonymous with "bi-annually", it's advisable to use "semi-annually" to avoid potential confusion with "biennially". Key contexts include science, news and media, and formal business. When aiming for clarity, especially in international settings, consider using alternatives like "twice a year" or "every six months".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twice a year

Replaces the single word with a descriptive phrase, making the meaning explicit.

every six months

Breaks down the year into its constituent halves, offering a clearer timeframe.

bi-annually

A direct synonym, but can sometimes be confused with 'biennially'.

twice yearly

A more literal phrasing conveying the same frequency.

half-yearly

Commonly used in financial contexts, emphasizing the half-year period.

occurring every half year

A more descriptive way to express the frequency of occurrence.

every second semester

Emphasizes that the events happen every other semester.

at six-month intervals

Highlights the specific interval between occurrences.

on a six-month basis

Similar to the previous, focusing on the regular basis of the interval.

two times per year

A straightforward and unambiguous alternative.

FAQs

What does "semi-annually" mean?

"Semi-annually" means twice a year or every six months. It's often used in financial or business contexts to describe payments or reports that occur two times per year.

Which is correct, "semi-annually" or "bi-annually"?

Both "semi-annually" and "bi-annually" are intended to mean twice a year, but "bi-annually" is often confused with "biennially" (every two years). To avoid confusion, it's best to use "semi-annually" or "twice a year".

What can I say instead of "semi-annually"?

You can use alternatives like "twice a year", "every six months", or "half-yearly", depending on the context.

How is "semi-annually" used in financial contexts?

In finance, "semi-annually" often refers to interest payments on bonds or loans that are made twice a year. For example, a bond might pay interest "semi-annually" at a rate of 5% per year, meaning the holder receives 2.5% every six months.