after many hours

USAGE SUMMARY

'after many hours' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a process or event has taken a long time to occur or be completed. For example, "After many hours of practice, she was finally able to hit a perfect golf shot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only occasionally and after many hours of use did the machine freeze.

The New York Times - Tech

After many hours, he abruptly paused.

The New Yorker

(After many hours of cooking, it tasted like pulled pork).

The New York Times

After many hours in service, the coating will inevitably begin to deteriorate.

Surface and Coatings Technology

After many hours, you start to eat normally.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After many hours their company boss has still not arrived.

The Guardian

But after many hours spent trolling the Internet, I give you my three favorite Tumblrs: 1.

The New York Times

But after many hours of questioning by F.B.I. agents, he remains on the no-fly list.

The New York Times

Rawr! Sorority Life was mildly diverting, but after many hours on several accounts, other horizons beckoned.

The New York Times - Arts

Eventually, after many hours of bidding, the item went for £399.60 to "BBStunning".

The Guardian - Money

"Now I'm gonna sit for a portrait?" After many hours of conversation he becomes suspicious.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after many hours" to clearly indicate that a process, task, or event required a significant amount of time. It helps the reader understand the effort or duration involved.

Common error

While useful, avoid using "after many hours" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. This can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives such as "eventually" or "after a long time" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after many hours" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the time elapsed before an action or event occurs. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts from news reports to academic papers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after many hours" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, suitable for various contexts. It serves to highlight the duration of time spent on an activity or before an event, emphasizing effort or delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in both formal and informal settings, but writers should avoid overuse to maintain engagement. The most common contexts are News & Media, Academia, and Science, with the primary function to indicate time elapsed before an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after numerous hours

Replaces "many" with "numerous" to emphasize quantity.

after a long duration

Highlights the length of the period that has passed.

following extensive time

Highlights the extensiveness of the time involved.

after a substantial period

Uses "substantial" to highlight the large quantity.

following a considerable time

Emphasizes the duration before the subsequent event.

subsequent to several hours

Replaces "many" with "several" and uses a more formal tone.

after an extended timeframe

Focuses on the elongated nature of the duration.

after a protracted period

Suggests an extended or prolonged time frame.

following a significant time investment

Highlights the investment aspect of the time spent.

eventually

A simpler alternative that implies a considerable amount of time has passed.

FAQs

How can I use "after many hours" in a sentence?

You can use "after many hours" to describe the time spent on an activity before a result is achieved. For example, "After many hours of practice, she finally mastered the piece".

What are some alternatives to "after many hours"?

Some alternatives include "eventually", "after a long time", or "following a considerable time". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "after many hours" or "after several hours"?

Both "after many hours" and "after several hours" are grammatically correct. "After many hours" suggests a longer duration compared to "after several hours".

Can "after many hours" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "after many hours" can be used in formal writing. While it's suitable for formal contexts, consider alternatives like "subsequent to several hours" for a more sophisticated tone in some situations.