two-yearly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two-yearly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that happens every two years. Example: "The organization holds a two-yearly conference to discuss advancements in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Africa's populations look set to soar by 2100ON MAY 3rd, the United Nations produced its two-yearly update of the world's population, which includes projections.

The Economist

The books emerged at roughly two-yearly intervals.

The Guardian - Books

The defence ministry produced its two-yearly white paper.

The Economist

Moreover, the commission may push Spain to commit to a two-yearly budget cycle to provide greater clarity.

The Economist

A guideline based on an evidence review by Canadian optometrists recommended two-yearly tests, increasing to yearly over the age of 65.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was the last in a hat-trick of sensational operatic premieres that Strauss had produced at two-yearly intervals: Salome (1907), Elektra (1909) and Rosenkavalier (1911).

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Ms. Stack does all the buying for the store during two yearly trips to Mexico.

The New York Times

The club presents two yearly seasons of seven films each for $105 a season.

The New York Times

The society's two yearly read-throughs of Bach's "Brandenburg" Concertos are a week away.

The New York Times

Coach Pete Carroll preaches to his team two yearly goals: Win the Pac-10 title and, thereby, earn the conference's automatic bid to the Rose Bowl.

The New York Times

January is when the American Astronomical Society holds the first of its two yearly meetings -- the most recent was earlier this month in Washington -- giving members a chance to reveal what they have been working on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "two-yearly" to clearly and concisely indicate that something occurs every two years. This is especially useful in scientific or formal contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "bi-annual" or "semi-annual" interchangeably with "two-yearly". "Bi-annual" and "semi-annual" usually mean twice a year, not every two years. "Two-yearly" prevents this ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two-yearly" functions as an adjective to describe something that occurs every two years. As seen in Ludwig, the term modifies nouns like "update", "summit", and "review", specifying the frequency of these events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "two-yearly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective that means occurring every two years. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's particularly prevalent in News & Media and Scientific contexts for precisely describing recurring events, cycles, or reviews. While alternatives like "biennial" exist, "two-yearly" offers a straightforward and easily understood way to convey the specific time interval. Just be sure not to confuse it with "bi-annual", which typically means twice a year.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Biennial

A more formal single-word substitute.

Every two years

A simple and direct alternative using common words.

Occurring every other year

Describes the frequency with more emphasis on the alternating pattern.

Taking place every two years

Similar to 'every two years' but with a slightly more formal tone.

Held every second year

Focuses on the timing of an event's occurrence.

Conducted every two years

Applicable when referring to studies, surveys or similar activities.

Bi-annual

Less precise because it can also mean twice a year, but still a valid alternative in some contexts.

Semi-annual

Refers to something that happens twice a year; use with caution as it's easy to confuse.

Every 24 months

A more precise description of time.

Two-year interval

Focuses on the duration between events rather than the event itself.

FAQs

What does "two-yearly" mean?

The term "two-yearly" means occurring or being done every two years. It's synonymous with "biennial" and indicates a frequency of once every 24 months.

Is "two-yearly" the same as "bi-annual"?

No, "two-yearly" is not the same as "bi-annual". "Two-yearly" means every two years, while "bi-annual" typically means twice a year. To avoid confusion, it's best to use "every two years" or "biennial" to express "two-yearly".

How can I use "two-yearly" in a sentence?

You can use "two-yearly" to describe events, reviews, or cycles that happen every two years. For example: "The organization holds a "two-yearly" conference to discuss advancements in the field."

What are some alternatives to using "two-yearly"?

Alternatives to "two-yearly" include "biennial", "every two years", or "occurring every other year". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.