close to two hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to two hours" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when estimating a duration that is nearly two hours, often in informal contexts. Example: "The meeting lasted close to two hours, which was longer than we had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The scenic drive takes close to two hours.

The New York Times - Travel

It is now 06.45 in Cairo, where it has been daylight for close to two hours.

The Guardian

After Mr. Harper did not respond, there was a standoff of close to two hours.

The New York Times

It's my longest ride of the season so far -- close to two hours -- and also my best.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Milosevic, almost friendly, cross-examined the detective for close to two hours but was unable to dent his story.

The New York Times

She went to the driving range after shooting 73 on opening day and worked for close to two hours.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Close to five hours on the train.

The New Yorker

"They were close to four hours some nights".

The New Yorker

Ten days before the première, however, the play was still running close to four hours.

The New Yorker

With close to three hours of music, "Babylon" makes for a long evening.

The New York Times - Arts

At close to three hours, "Nefés" was long, and felt longer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to two hours" when you want to indicate an approximate duration, making it clear that the time is not exact but is near the two-hour mark. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "close to two hours" when a precise duration is known. If the duration is exactly 1 hour and 55 minutes, state the exact time instead of approximating with the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to two hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the approximate duration of an action or event. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to two hours" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express an approximate duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as in academic settings. While maintaining a neutral register, its purpose is to provide an estimation of time, acknowledging a degree of uncertainty rather than pinpoint accuracy. Alternatives like "almost two hours" or "nearly two hours" may suit slightly different nuances, but "close to two hours" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost two hours

Indicates a duration very near to two hours, slightly more direct than the original phrase.

nearly two hours

Similar to 'almost', emphasizing the approximation of the two-hour mark.

approximately two hours

A more formal way to express an estimated duration of two hours.

about two hours

A simple and common way to indicate a roughly estimated time frame.

in the vicinity of two hours

A more descriptive, slightly less common way of approximating the duration.

in the neighborhood of two hours

An idiomatic way to approximate a duration, similar to 'in the vicinity of'.

just under two hours

Focuses on the duration being slightly less than two hours.

a little under two hours

More informal, emphasizing the duration is slightly shorter than two hours.

one hour and 45 minutes

A more precise duration, specifying a time close to two hours.

one and three-quarter hours

Expresses the duration using fractions of an hour.

FAQs

How can I use "close to two hours" in a sentence?

You can use "close to two hours" to indicate an approximate duration. For example, "The meeting lasted "close to two hours", which was longer than expected."

What are some alternatives to saying "close to two hours"?

Alternatives include "almost two hours", "nearly two hours", or "approximately two hours", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "close to two hours" or "almost two hours"?

Both "close to two hours" and "almost two hours" are acceptable. "Almost two hours" might be slightly more direct, but the choice depends on personal preference and context.

When should I use "approximately two hours" instead of "close to two hours"?

Use "approximately two hours" in more formal contexts where a precise estimation is required. "Close to two hours" is suitable for both formal and informal settings.