ensuing hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ensuing hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the hours that follow a specific event or situation. Example: "After the meeting concluded, we spent the ensuing hours discussing the project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Hence the bewildering picture that emerged in the ensuing hours.

The New Yorker

The divorced father of two teenagers said the ensuing hours had been a blur.

The Guardian

In the ensuing hours, security forces poured into the region, and Sunnis from nearby Burhaniyya stayed indoors.

The New York Times

Unrest about the operation gained momentum in the ensuing hours, culminating in the protest on Friday afternoon.

The Guardian

In the ensuing hours, however, the company was inundated with 7,446 calls about downed power lines.

The Washington Post

Over the ensuing hours, a number of people have relayed their experience after receiving the incorrect message.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

He was not, but the ensuing hour made clear how steeply he has fallen.

The Guardian

Reassuringly, the expectation raised in those first seconds was thoroughly realised in the ensuing hour and a half.

The Guardian - Music

It is by no means certain that Ronaldo, or any of his teammates, broke a sweat in the ensuing hour and a half.

The New York Times - Sports

They ask for a volunteer from the audience and spend the ensuing hour and a half trying to convert him to Mormonism.

The New Yorker

The ensuing hour summed up all the delights not only of this genre but of any good jazz performed informally in a small, crowded space.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ensuing hours" when you want to emphasize the immediate and direct temporal connection between an event and the period that follows. For a formal or serious tone, this phrase is particularly effective.

Common error

Avoid using "ensuing hours" when referring to a period that isn't directly linked to a preceding event. This phrase emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship, so ensure the context supports this.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ensuing hours" functions as a temporal adjective, modifying a noun or implied noun. It indicates a period of time directly after a specific event. As Ludwig AI shows, it connects actions or states to the period immediately following a particular incident.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ensuing hours" is a commonly used phrase to describe the period immediately following an event, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's considered grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While interchangeable with phrases like "following hours", "ensuing hours" subtly implies a consequence or direct result. When writing, use it to connect a time frame directly to the preceding event. While versatile, it is best suited for formal or neutral contexts, ensuring it fits the tone and purpose of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following hours

Replaces "ensuing" with "following", a more common and straightforward synonym, which maintains the sense of immediate succession.

subsequent hours

Substitutes "ensuing" with "subsequent", providing a slightly more formal alternative that still denotes what comes immediately after.

hours that followed

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the sequence of time after the initial event.

next few hours

Uses a simpler and more direct construction, specifying a limited time frame post-event.

succeeding hours

Employs "succeeding" as a synonym for "ensuing", which sounds a little bit more formal.

immediate aftermath

Focuses on the period directly after an event, implying a chaotic or significant period, instead of plainly counting hours.

period that followed

Broadens the scope from just 'hours' to a more general 'period', which could encompass a longer or less defined timeframe.

directly afterwards

Expresses the concept of immediately following in a more conversational way, removing the specific timeframe.

wake of the event

Uses a more metaphorical phrase to describe the immediate consequences and time period after an event, often implying disruption or impact.

in the immediate future

Shifts the focus to what is expected to happen shortly after the present moment, without necessarily linking it to a past event.

FAQs

How can I use "ensuing hours" in a sentence?

You can use "ensuing hours" to describe what happened in the time immediately after a specific event. For example, "After the announcement, the "following hours" were filled with celebration".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "ensuing hours"?

Similar phrases include "subsequent hours", ""following hours"", or "immediate aftermath", which all refer to the period directly after an event.

Is "ensuing hours" formal or informal language?

"Ensuing hours" is considered more formal than alternatives like "next few hours". It's appropriate for academic, news, and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "ensuing hours" and "following hours"?

While "ensuing" and "following" are often interchangeable, "ensuing" subtly implies a consequence or direct result from the preceding event, whereas ""following hours"" simply indicates the time that came after.