semi-monthly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "semi-monthly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that happens twice a month, typically on specific dates. Example: "Employees will receive their paychecks on a semi-monthly basis, specifically on the 15th and the last day of each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Publish the Kids' Edition as a semi-monthly or monthly paper.

The New York Times

(The underbidder was Marvin Shanken, who is the editor and publisher of a number of periodicals, including The Wine Spectator, a semi-monthly newspaper for the trade).

The New Yorker

At their initial briefing, the staff learned Japan has its own problems with norovirus, and the Noma team would be expected to follow the hotel's preventative protocols, including a semi-monthly stool sample.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For those of us who simply want to brush up on our handwriting so that the insides of our semi-monthly Papyrus splurges are as beautiful as the out, the Internet reveals that adult handwriting clinics abound.

The New Yorker

When Aon moves, he will receive a $135,000 "foreign service allowance" paid semi-monthly; a $336,000 "annual housing allowance," though he must pay for any home phone and Internet access charges; a $90,000 cost-of-living allowance; and a one-time $80,000 "relocation allowance intended to cover all miscellaneous expenses".

The New York Times

Of those, only 14 display current balance sheets in which weekly or semi-monthly data are published within two weeks.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

By that I mean the public will get to see all the after action reports, incident reports, weekly, monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports that such firms are required under contract language to produce.

Huffington Post

Bi-monthly semi-structured interviews with unit managers have been conducted to examine factors and barriers influencing the model implementation.

BMC Geriatrics

Besides annual interest, a bond may make additional payments on a semi-annual or monthly basis.

WikiHow

The CRA will send PST filing forms on a regular basis, based on whether you file annually, semi-annually, or monthly.

WikiHow

Four years ago, she separated from her husband and was left to pay the mortgage on her three-bedroom Barnsley semi, plus £1,200 in monthly bills.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "semi-monthly", ensure clarity by specifying the exact dates if needed (e.g., "the 1st and 15th of each month"). This avoids potential confusion, especially in contexts where precise timing is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "bi-monthly" interchangeably with "semi-monthly" because "bi-monthly" can mean either twice a month or every two months. Sticking to "semi-monthly" or "twice a month" ensures that your meaning is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "semi-monthly" functions as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating that something occurs or is done twice a month. As shown by Ludwig, it commonly describes payment schedules, publications, or sampling frequencies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Huffington Post

4%

Cover Letter

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "semi-monthly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe occurrences happening twice a month. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. To avoid ambiguity, particularly with "bi-monthly", it's advisable to specify exact dates or use alternative phrases like "twice a month" for clarity. When accuracy is paramount, providing specific dates will remove any potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twice-monthly

Emphasizes the frequency of occurrence within a month.

bi-monthly

Similar to semi-monthly, but can sometimes cause ambiguity (twice a month or every two months).

twice per month

A more explicit way of stating the frequency.

half-monthly

Directly indicates the occurrence in half-month intervals.

every half month

Highlights the division of the month into two periods.

occurring twice a month

A verbose version that clarifies the timing.

two times a month

Another way to explicitly express the frequency.

mid-monthly

Focuses on occurrences happening around the middle of the month.

fortnightly

While closer to every two weeks, depending on the context it can be used as a synonym.

every 15 days

Approximates to the semi-monthly period; more precise but loses the direct relation with the concept of 'month'.

FAQs

How is "semi-monthly" used in a sentence?

You can use "semi-monthly" to describe events occurring twice a month. For example: "Salaries are paid on a semi-monthly basis" or "The report is published semi-monthly".

What's the difference between "semi-monthly" and "bi-monthly"?

"Semi-monthly" unambiguously means twice a month. "Bi-monthly" can mean either twice a month or every two months, leading to potential confusion. To avoid ambiguity, it's best to use "semi-monthly" or "twice a month".

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

Alternatives include "twice monthly" or "two times a month". These phrases clearly indicate that something happens two times within a month.

Is it correct to use "bi-monthly" in place of "semi-monthly"?

While some use "bi-monthly" to mean twice a month, it's often interpreted as every two months. For clarity, it's preferable to use "twice a month" or "semi-monthly" to avoid any confusion.