for long hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"for long hours" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could say: "The farmers work for long hours in the fields."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Farmers live and die mostly in private, doing grueling, sometimes hazardous work, for long hours.

The New York Times

I could write for long hours each day without even thinking about pain.

The New York Times - Health

They worked in the stitching department, making $125 a month for long hours.

The New York Times

For many campaign volunteers, the reward for long hours is face time with the candidate.

The New York Times

Workers at Haiti's textile factories receive little pay for long hours.

The New York Times

When she worked, Mr. Ferreira said, her feet would swell from standing for long hours.

The New York Times

The audio version is amazing and held us spellbound (sorry!) for long hours.

The New York Times

The queue is endless and you need to wait for long hours.

The Guardian

These coaches received no recognition for long hours and little pay.

The New York Times - Sports

People like Dr. Krakow can function for long hours by taking catnaps.

The New York Times - Health

The capitalists reap the profits while paying the workers a pittance for long hours of hard labour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing work schedules, use "for long hours" to clearly communicate the demanding time commitment involved.

Common error

Be specific about what activity occupies the "long hours". Simply stating someone works "for long hours" lacks context. Specify the task or job to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for long hours" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying verbs. It describes the duration of an action, indicating that something is done or experienced over a prolonged period. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for long hours" is a common and correct English expression used to describe activities that extend over a considerable duration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and widespread use. Its presence across diverse sources like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business indicates its versatility. When using this phrase, clarity is key. Specify the activity occupying those hours to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "for extended periods" or "during extensive shifts" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for extended periods

Emphasizes the duration is notably long.

over a considerable time

Highlights the significant amount of time involved.

for prolonged durations

Similar to 'extended periods', but emphasizes the length of each instance.

during extensive shifts

Focuses on work periods that are particularly long.

throughout lengthy sessions

Applicable when referring to activities that are structured in sessions.

for much of the day

Implies that a large portion of the day is dedicated to something.

for a large part of the night

Implies that a big portion of the night is dedicated to something.

for sustained intervals

Suggests consistent and uninterrupted periods.

for a significant stretch of time

Emphasizes a continuous and important time span.

for many hours straight

Highlights the continuous nature of the activity over several hours.

FAQs

How can I use "for long hours" in a sentence?

You can use "for long hours" to describe working, waiting, or engaging in any activity for an extended duration. For example, "The employees worked "for long hours" to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to saying "for long hours"?

Alternatives include "for extended periods", "over a considerable time", or "during extensive shifts", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "for long hours" or "for a long time"?

Both are correct, but "for long hours" is more specific to duration measured in hours, while "for a long time" is more general and can refer to any extended period.

What does it mean to work "for long hours"?

Working "for long hours" implies dedicating a significant amount of time, typically exceeding the standard work day, to work-related tasks.