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fandom_grammarWe’ve been asked, “What are the proper uses for semiannual, biannual, and biennial?” These three words can cause confusion due to having the same or similar roots. Let’s take a look at them, with some help from the characters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Semiannual
First, let’s take a look at the root word annual. Annual derives from the Latin word annus, which means “year.” So annual is something that refers to a year, or yearly events. For any horticulturists, an annual plant is one that lives and dies within one year or growing season.
The prefix semi- usually indicates half of something, as in a semi-circle being a half-circle. Semiannual, therefore, refers to an event that occurs every 6 months or half a year. You may also see this word hyphenated as semi-annual; this is also acceptable.
Biennial
While it’s related to annual and also refers to years, -ennial is not properly a word on its own; it’s usually got some help from a prefix describing the count or interval of the years. A common word that uses –ennial with such a prefix is centennial, meaning a count or interval of 100 years. (It’s also the title of a book by James Michener.) Biennial, one of the words our question revolves around, is another such word, which means an interval of two years. Any biennial event occurs once every two years.
Biannual
Now this is where the misunderstandings come in. One might logically assume that because it has the prefix bi- and the root annual, biannual is a synonym of biennial and means something that happens every two years. And it does mean that … but the dictionaries I consulted also show that it can describe something that happens twice a year … or semiannually. Perhaps the distinction between the two is that semiannual means every six months and biannual can refer to something that happens two times in a year but not every six months.
Both semiannual and biennial have straightforward definitions, so using them in your work will make your meaning clear. Using biannual and its diametrically opposed meanings, however, introduces an element of confusion that is probably best avoided.
Sources:
Semiannual
First, let’s take a look at the root word annual. Annual derives from the Latin word annus, which means “year.” So annual is something that refers to a year, or yearly events. For any horticulturists, an annual plant is one that lives and dies within one year or growing season.
Buffy selected a sword from her weapons cache and rested it on her shoulder. “Guess it’s time for the annual apocalypse,” she said.
The prefix semi- usually indicates half of something, as in a semi-circle being a half-circle. Semiannual, therefore, refers to an event that occurs every 6 months or half a year. You may also see this word hyphenated as semi-annual; this is also acceptable.
Buffy stared at Giles, her eyes wide. “When you say we’re getting Armageddon for Christmas …”
Giles cleaned the lenses of his glasses and avoided her gaze. “I mean that there’s a very good chance the world will end sometime in December, yes.”
“We just had an apocalypse in June!” Buffy covered her eyes with one hand. “I really don’t think I can handle semiannual apocalypses.”
Biennial
While it’s related to annual and also refers to years, -ennial is not properly a word on its own; it’s usually got some help from a prefix describing the count or interval of the years. A common word that uses –ennial with such a prefix is centennial, meaning a count or interval of 100 years. (It’s also the title of a book by James Michener.) Biennial, one of the words our question revolves around, is another such word, which means an interval of two years. Any biennial event occurs once every two years.
“Every two years,” Giles said, settling into his lecture mode, “the two factions of Fyarl demons gather together and settle their differences in the time-honored way of … well. Trying to kill each other.”
“A biennial bash?” Willow asked with a sly little smile.
Giles rolled his eyes.
Biannual
Now this is where the misunderstandings come in. One might logically assume that because it has the prefix bi- and the root annual, biannual is a synonym of biennial and means something that happens every two years. And it does mean that … but the dictionaries I consulted also show that it can describe something that happens twice a year … or semiannually. Perhaps the distinction between the two is that semiannual means every six months and biannual can refer to something that happens two times in a year but not every six months.
“Why do we have to have a biannual apocalypse this year?” Xander asked, frowning down at his book.
“Biannual?” Willow blinked. “Wait, are we having two or none?”
Buffy sat with her chin in her hand, looking glum. “However many we’re having, it’s too many.”
Both semiannual and biennial have straightforward definitions, so using them in your work will make your meaning clear. Using biannual and its diametrically opposed meanings, however, introduces an element of confusion that is probably best avoided.
Sources:
- Dictionary.com here, here and here
- The Free Dictionary here, here and here
- Merriam-Webster.com here and here
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18/11/14 07:43 (UTC)no subject
19/11/14 02:19 (UTC)