every few hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every few hours" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to denote a period of frequency, such as, "I check my emails every few hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I check every few hours.

The New York Times

Every few hours I go outside to smoke.

The New York Times

Monitors were taking samples every few hours to measure damage.

Independent

Now they are publicly denouncing each other every few hours.

The New York Times

I'm still nursing every few hours at night.

The New York Times - Magazine

Every few hours, the producers issued a new challenge.

The New Yorker

Every few hours we continued to feel our apartment sway.

The New Yorker

Reapply every few hours to guard against sun-induced lines and age spots.

Independent

The prices of stamps changes every few hours and there are never any mailboxes anyway".

The New Yorker

I was waking up every few hours and glad that I was alive".

Independent

Q: David, did you check your temperature every few hours?

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or schedules, use "every few hours" to indicate approximate timing, acknowledging slight variations are acceptable. For example, "Administer the medication every few hours, but don't worry if you're a little early or late."

Common error

Avoid using "every few hours" when precision is crucial. For tasks requiring exact intervals, specify the precise duration, such as "every three hours" or "every four hours". "Every few hours" implies a range, not a fixed point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every few hours" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, modifying a verb to indicate how often an action occurs. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, such as checking emails or administering medication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "every few hours" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate events or actions that occur repeatedly within a span of a few hours. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable for written English. With a "very common" frequency, it is widely used in diverse contexts, from news and media to science and general instructions. When using "every few hours", bear in mind it expresses an approximate timing and isn't suitable where precision is key. Consider alternatives like "at intervals of a few hours" for a more formal tone or precise durations like "every three hours" when accuracy matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at intervals of a few hours

Specifies the periodicity using a more formal tone.

periodically during the day

Highlights the distribution of occurrences across the day.

a couple of times per day

Focuses on daily frequency rather than a specific hourly interval.

several times during the day

Highlights a non-specific number of times within a day.

at set times throughout the day

Emphasizes scheduling rather than natural intervals.

throughout the day at intervals

Emphasizes continuation and consistent breaks.

on a semi-regular basis

Indicates some predictability in the recurrence.

at frequent intervals

Stresses a short period of time, usually to take the action.

at regular intervals

Indicates the time period is the same each time.

on occasion during the day

Suggests infrequent actions scattered throughout the day.

FAQs

How can I use "every few hours" in a sentence?

You can use "every few hours" to describe actions that are repeated at intervals of several hours, such as "I check my email "every few hours"" or "The medicine needs to be taken "every few hours"".

What's the difference between "every few hours" and "every couple of hours"?

"Every couple of hours" implies a shorter, more precise interval, roughly two hours. "Every few hours" suggests a slightly less precise range, typically meaning two to four hours.

Is it more formal to use "at intervals of a few hours" instead of "every few hours"?

Yes, "at intervals of a few hours" is generally more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing. "Every few hours" is acceptable in most contexts, but the former conveys a slightly more sophisticated tone.

What are some alternatives to "every few hours"?

Alternatives include "periodically", "at intervals of a few hours", "several times a day", or "frequently", depending on the context and desired level of precision.