Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to express “every other month.” Whether you need to communicate this frequency in a formal or informal setting, we have you covered. In this guide, we will explore different ways to convey this concept, providing tips, examples, and even regional variations. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Every Other Month”
When it comes to formal situations, such as business or professional settings, it is crucial to use language that is clear and easily understood. Here are some formal expressions you can use:
- Every second month: This phrase is concise and straightforward, making it suitable for professional communication. For example, you can say, “Our team meets every second month to discuss project updates.”
- Bi-monthly: This term refers to an occurrence happening every two months. However, it is essential to clarify whether you mean it as “twice a month” or “every other month” when using this term, as it can have different interpretations. For clarity, consider using “bi-monthly (every other month)” to avoid confusion.
Informal Ways to Say “Every Other Month”
In casual conversations or informal contexts, you have more flexibility in how you express the idea of “every other month.” Here are some informal expressions you can use:
- Every second month: Just like in formal situations, you can still use the phrase “every second month” in informal conversations. It remains clear and easily understandable for most people.
- Every other month: This is a simple and widely recognized expression. For example, “We meet up for a game night every other month.”
- Every couple of months: This phrase adds a friendly tone to the conversation, indicating a less rigid schedule. For instance, “Let’s catch up over coffee every couple of months.”
- Every alternate month: Another way to convey the idea is to use the term “alternate.” For instance, “Our book club meets on the alternate month. The next meeting is in November.”
Regional Variations
Language can vary across regions, and different phrases may be used to convey the concept of “every other month.” It’s essential to be aware of these regional variations. Here are a few examples:
- Fortnightly: In some British English speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom and Australia, “fortnightly” is used to mean once every two weeks. However, it is not commonly used to denote “every other month.”
“We organize a neighborhood BBQ every other month.” – Informal usage
As you can see, regional variations exist, but they tend to be limited when expressing “every other month.” It’s generally safe to stick with the phrases mentioned earlier to ensure clear communication.
Examples in Sentences
Let’s take a look at some examples that use the various expressions we discussed:
- “The company sends out newsletters bi-monthly (every other month) to keep clients updated.”
- “Our book club meets every second month to discuss the latest novel.”
- “The gardening club hosts workshops every other month to share tips and tricks.”
- “We conduct performance reviews on an alternate monthly basis.”
- “Our team syncs every couple of months to brainstorm new ideas.”
Remember, the key is to choose the expression that best suits your context and ensures clear understanding among your audience.
