3 hours away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "3 hours away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the distance or time it takes to reach a specific location from a given point. Example: "The nearest city is just 3 hours away by car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Japan is only 3 hours away.

BBC

You do not default-accept the stranger's driving directions to the nearest gas station in a town, if the stranger tells you it is over 3 hours away.

SEP

THE SCENE — Hundreds of activists already lining hall outside of Graham-Cassidy hearing…which is still 3 hours away.

Huffington Post

With the nearest hospital an hour away and his doctors at our VA hospital 3 hours away, my concerns were not unfounded.

Huffington Post

She lives hours from any medical center and the one 3 hours away is dire, with one insect-infested bed and a bare medicine cabinet.

Huffington Post

But this is where the plot thickens: the mishap did not go down at L'enoteca Zanardo (which is located in Giussano, approximately 3 hours away from Conegliano).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Bali is 18 hours away.

The Guardian

Fly to Pau (1½ hours away), Toulouse or Biarritz (both 2½ hours away).

The Guardian - Travel

The Lakers are still 48 hours away from true concern.

The New York Times - Sports

The sequestration deadline is less than 40 hours away.

The Guardian

First pitch, as of the last pitch of Game 4, was less than 14 hours away.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "3 hours away", specify the mode of transportation if it's not obvious. For example, "The airport is 3 hours away by train" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid shifting verb tenses when describing distances. Instead of "The event will be 3 hours away, but it was worth it", maintain consistency: "The event will be 3 hours away, but it will be worth it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "3 hours away" functions as an adverbial phrase of distance. It modifies a verb or noun to specify how far something is in terms of travel time, as Ludwig illustrates with several examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "3 hours away" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the distance to a location in terms of travel time. Ludwig shows its frequent use in diverse contexts like news reports, scientific articles and academic writing. While its register is generally neutral, it is crucial to specify the mode of transport when using the phrase for clarity. Common errors, like inconsistent verb tenses, should be avoided to maintain grammatical accuracy. The phrase serves the purpose of providing geographical context, helping the audience understand the accessibility of a location.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three hours by car

This clearly states that it takes three hours when travelling by car.

takes three hours to get to

Expresses the time needed to arrive at a certain location.

a three-hour trip

This expresses that there is a journey that takes "three-hours".

a three-hour distance

This rephrases the original by using "distance" as a noun, focusing on the spatial separation defined by the time it takes to travel.

three hours' travel time

This uses "travel time" to emphasize that the duration is dedicated to travel activities.

at a three-hour drive

It explicitly mentions driving as the mode of transport within the specified duration.

three hours' journey

This alternative uses "journey" to emphasize the act of traveling the specified duration.

located three hours from

This option rephrases in terms of physical location and distance instead of travel time.

a three-hour commute

This specifies "commute" to highlight a regular journey between work and home, taking three hours.

within a three-hour radius

This alternative indicates a circular range around a central point, defining an area reachable in three hours.

FAQs

How can I use "3 hours away" in a sentence?

You can use "3 hours away" to describe the distance to a place, like in the sentence, "The nearest hospital is "3 hours away" by car".

What does "3 hours away" mean?

"3 hours away" indicates the time it takes to travel from one location to another, typically by a specific mode of transport such as driving or flying.

Which is correct, "3 hours away" or "3 hour away"?

"3 hours away" is correct because "hours" is plural to match the quantity (3). "3 hour away" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternative phrases for "3 hours away"?

Alternatives include "a three-hour drive", "three hours' journey", or "within a three-hour radius", depending on the context.