counting the hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "counting the hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express anticipation or impatience for a specific event or moment to arrive. Example: "As the day of the concert approached, I found myself counting the hours until I could see my favorite band perform live."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Neither does counting the hours that one hasn't slept.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's May 25," Mr. Mackie said, counting the hours.

The New York Times

We ended up sitting together flying home, counting the hours to touchdown in the world.

The New York Times

And I found that the broccoli plant seems to be counting the hours".

The New York Times - Food

I can imagine how useful that might be, but mostly I'm just counting the hours until I can leave.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He would spend all day smelling his own sweat and counting the hours until his next shower.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

(That's not counting the hour-long Mekong Hotel, which emerged in 2012).

The Guardian - Film

Nancy and I counted the hours.

The New York Times - Food

Should we count the hours until it starts offering stickers or their ilk?

The Guardian - Tech

Maybe, if I counted the hours, it is my main job and hobby?

The Guardian

Miss Crawford's portrait, offering for sale an expensive watch to count the hours, smiled enticingly and said nothing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "counting the hours" to effectively convey a sense of anticipation, impatience, or the slow passage of time before a significant event.

Common error

Avoid using "counting the hours" when a neutral description of time tracking is required. The phrase often carries an emotional connotation of eagerness or boredom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "counting the hours" acts as a gerund phrase, functioning as a noun. It often describes a state of anticipation, impatience, or marking time until a specific event occurs. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe waiting for vacations, reunions, or the end of a tedious task.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "counting the hours" is a common and correct gerund phrase used to express anticipation, impatience, or the marking of time before a specific event, as confirmed by Ludwig. It frequently appears in news and media contexts. Although grammatically straightforward, understanding its emotional connotations is crucial for proper usage. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its application in various scenarios, underlining its utility in conveying subjective experiences of time. When a neutral description of time tracking is required, avoid using "counting the hours" as the phrase often carries an emotional connotation of eagerness or boredom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keeping track of the hours

Focuses on monitoring the passage of time, often for a specific reason.

watching the clock

Highlights the act of observing time pass, often with impatience or boredom.

measuring the hours

Similar to keeping track, but suggests a more precise calculation of time.

awaiting the time

Focuses on the act of waiting, emphasizing anticipation.

ticking off the minutes

Emphasizes the incremental passing of time, often with a sense of urgency.

anticipating the moment

Highlights the excitement and expectation associated with an upcoming event.

marking time

Emphasizes the passage of time, often while waiting for something to happen.

looking forward to

Expresses anticipation and excitement for something in the future.

biding one's time

Suggests waiting patiently until the opportune moment.

killing time

Implies finding ways to occupy oneself while waiting, often without a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "counting the hours" in a sentence?

You can use "counting the hours" to express anticipation or impatience. For example, "She was "counting the hours" until her vacation began."

What's a good alternative to "counting the hours"?

Alternatives include "awaiting the time", "anticipating the moment", or "marking time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "counting the hours" or "awaiting the hours"?

"Counting the hours" implies a more active and often emotional state of anticipation, while "awaiting the hours" is less common and generally implies a passive state of waiting.

What is the difference between "counting the minutes" and "counting the hours"?

"Counting the minutes" suggests a shorter timeframe and a heightened sense of impatience or anticipation compared to "counting the hours".