for many hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for many hours" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used when referring to a time frame, especially when talking about something having taken a longer than usual period of time. For example: "I had to wait in line for many hours before I was able to purchase tickets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will not eat for many hours.

The New Yorker

I do this for many hours.

The New York Times

The party lasted for many hours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The playwright studies the empty set for many hours.

The New Yorker

This sort of thing went on for many hours.

The New Yorker

The fighting did not let up for many hours.

The New York Times

"He was alive for many hours," Mr. Herrera said.

The New York Times

The playwright studies the empty set for many hours..

The New Yorker

"A lot of good minds met for many hours.

The New York Times - Sports

They were detained for many hours, looking very, very chic.

The New York Times - Magazine

But for many hours Wednesday, Trump was conspicuously quiet.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "for many hours" when you want to emphasize that an activity or state continued for a significant duration, but avoid overusing it in close proximity within your writing for stylistic variation.

Common error

Avoid using "for many hours" when a more precise timeframe is known, as it can make your writing seem vague. If you know something lasted "for six hours", use that instead of the less specific "for many hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for many hours" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the duration of an action or state. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing activities that extend over a significant period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for many hours" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that acts as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, mainly from News & Media. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of context and choose more specific timeframes when available to avoid vagueness. Related phrases such as ""for a considerable time"" or ""over several hours"" can offer stylistic variation and more nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for hours on end

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the activity or state.

for a considerable time

Emphasizes the length of the period as noteworthy.

for an extended period

Highlights that the duration was longer than usual or expected.

a great many hours

Highlights the sheer quantity of hours involved.

over several hours

Specifies that the time frame encompassed multiple hours.

for a long duration

Uses a more general term to indicate a significant amount of time.

during numerous hours

Focuses on the repetition of hours within the time frame.

throughout many hours

Implies an action or state persisted across numerous hours.

over the course of several hours

Suggests a process or development occurring across the specified time.

for what seemed like forever

Emphasizes a subjective feeling of the length of the time.

FAQs

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

You can use "for many hours" to describe the duration of an activity or state. For example, "I studied "for many hours" before the exam" or "The meeting lasted "for many hours"".

What are some alternatives to "for many hours"?

Alternatives include "for a considerable time", "for an extended period", or "over several hours". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "for a considerable time" instead of "for many hours"?

Yes, ""for a considerable time"" generally sounds more formal than "for many hours". "For many hours" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, while "for a considerable time" is best reserved for more formal writing or speech.

When should I use a more specific time frame instead of "for many hours"?

If you know the approximate duration (e.g., "for five hours"), it's generally better to use the specific timeframe. "For many hours" is best used when the precise duration is unknown or less important than emphasizing the length of time.