every hour or two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every hour or two" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a frequency of occurrence, suggesting something happens once every one to two hours. Example: "I like to take a short break every hour or two while working to stay refreshed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

EVERY hour or two -- more often, I admit, when the writing is not going particularly well -- I pause and take a vacation of sorts.

The New York Times

But it means going online every hour or two, which is a chore.

The Economist

Typically, it is once every hour or two, even during a blizzard.

The New York Times

"We're averaging eight to 10 corpses a day, some of them dead on arrival; there's a dead body every hour or two," he explains later.

The Guardian

It goes like this until late: free-form jam sessions on stage, punctuated every hour or two with fife and drum on the ground.

The New York Times

But through his brief, quickly typed bursts every hour or two, his followers gain a glimpse into the life of a New Yorker with no home.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Re-estimations of the model, based on a real-life dataset from 19 critically ill patients, are performed every hour or every four hours by only considering recently passed data.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

But every time, an hour or two before we'd meet up, I'd suddenly start to feel sick.

Vice

I would see them every weekend...I would drive an hour or two every weekend.

Huffington Post

I read every day, for an hour or two.

The Guardian - Books

I read every day for an hour or two, and read about two books a month.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "every hour or two" to clearly indicate a recurring action within a specified timeframe, improving clarity and providing context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "every hour or two" when the actual interval varies significantly. If the time frame fluctuates widely, opt for a phrase like "several times a day" or "at frequent intervals" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every hour or two" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, specifying how often an action or event occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its use in diverse contexts, indicating regular intervals of time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

36%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "every hour or two" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate the frequency of an event within relatively short intervals. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While alternatives like "every couple of hours" or "once every hour or two" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. It's important to use this phrase when describing regular occurrences, ensuring that the timeframe is relatively consistent to avoid confusion. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively communicate the frequency of actions or events in a clear and concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every couple of hours

Replaces 'hour or two' with a more generalized term 'couple of hours'.

once every hour or two

Adds 'once' for emphasis and clarity of the frequency.

hourly or bi-hourly

Uses a more technical term to define the repeated action.

at one to two hour intervals

More formal way of indicating the timing for an event.

periodically every hour or so

Uses the word periodically.

on an hourly or near-hourly basis

This phrase offers a more descriptive way to express the recurring nature.

every sixty to one hundred twenty minutes

Specifies the time span exactly using minutes instead of hours.

frequently within a two-hour period

Focuses on 'frequent' action rather than the hourly timing.

at least once per two hours

Specifies minimum frequency over the span of two hours.

within one to two hours

Describes action occurring inside the defined window of time.

FAQs

How can I use "every hour or two" in a sentence?

You can use "every hour or two" to describe how often something happens. For example, "I try to take a short break from work "every hour or two" to stay focused."

What phrases are similar to "every hour or two"?

Alternatives include "every couple of hours", "once every hour or two", or "hourly or bi-hourly", depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "every hour or two" or "every one to two hours"?

Both are accurate, but "every hour or two" is more conversational. "Every one to two hours" is slightly more formal and precise, suitable for technical writing or instructions.

What is the difference between "every hour or two" and "frequently"?

"Every hour or two" specifies a timeframe, whereas "frequently" indicates that something happens often but without a specific time interval. "Every hour or two" is more precise than "frequently".