a good two hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good two hours" is correct and is used in written English.
It is usually used to indicate a long period of time, such as when describing how long something takes or how long something lasts. For example, "It took a good two hours to finish all the paperwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The displays and films here will keep you entranced for a good two hours.

Independent

GET TO WORK I spend a good two hours working on my book.

The New York Times

There are still a good two hours to go before the latter's statement.

The Guardian

A good two hours before 9 o'clock, show time, Bobbi nabs the first model.

The New York Times - Magazine

If you do, you can easily simmer in your seat for a good two hours.

The New York Times

Pour the marinade over the poussin and set aside for a good two hours, turning once or twice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Conference organizer Loic Le Meur (a French entrepreneur who moved to Silicon Valley for his most recent startup Seesmic) says that Silicon Valley moves too fast, and that Europeans enjoy a good two hour lunch just to experience the joy of life.

TechCrunch

Mexico City is a good five hours away.

The New York Times - Travel

It's a good four hours' drive to London and about an hour's to Leeds.

The Guardian

Every day, she spends a good eight hours browsing the Internet — sometimes more.

The New York Times

One difficulty was that the two unedited works together lasted a good five hours.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good two hours" when you want to emphasize that a period of time is significant or substantial. For example, "The movie lasted a good two hours", suggesting it was quite long.

Common error

Avoid using "a good two hours" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with alternatives like "approximately two hours" or "around two hours" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good two hours" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb by specifying the duration of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to indicate a long period of time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a good two hours" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a significant duration of time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and typical usage. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs by specifying the time involved. Usage is mostly neutral, common in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives like "approximately two hours" or "a solid two hours". Remember that while similar to just "two hours", the inclusion of "good" emphasizes the length of the duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately two hours

Uses a more formal adverb to indicate an estimated duration.

around two hours

Employs a common preposition to signify an approximate timeframe.

about two hours

Indicates an estimated duration using a simpler preposition.

roughly two hours

Substitutes "good" with a similar adverb indicating approximation.

a solid two hours

Replaces "good" with an adjective emphasizing the continuous nature of the time.

a full two hours

Replaces "good" with an adjective emphasizing the completeness of the time.

two hours or so

Adds a common phrase to indicate an approximate amount of time.

a couple of hours

Uses a less precise quantifier to indicate a similar timeframe.

two hours approximately

Reorders the phrase for a slightly different emphasis.

upwards of two hours

Indicates that the duration is at least two hours, possibly longer.

FAQs

How can I use "a good two hours" in a sentence?

You can use "a good two hours" to describe the duration of an activity or event. For example, "I spent "a good two hours" reading my book this afternoon."

What's a more formal way to say "a good two hours"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "approximately two hours" or "about two hours".

Is there a difference between "a good two hours" and "two hours"?

While both phrases refer to the same duration, "a good two hours" implies the duration is considerable or notable. "Two hours" is a neutral statement of time, while "a good two hours" adds emphasis.

What are some alternatives to "a good two hours" to describe time?

Alternatives include "roughly two hours", "a solid two hours", or "a full two hours", depending on the nuance you want to convey.