four hours in a row

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "four hours in a row" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a continuous duration of four hours without interruption. Example: "I managed to study for four hours in a row without taking a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

You'll definitely need something else for that jittery feeling you get when you're on Twitter for more than three or four hours in a row.

The New Yorker

All of which she believes she could handle, if only she could get a little sleep: "Lately, four hours in a row was a signal event.

The New York Times - Books

"I just cannot do stilts for four hours in a row anymore," said Ms. Barton, who works both freelance and with the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit, which sends clowns to visit hospitals.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"She used to train five, six hours in a row.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps this is because for the last half of the year I haven't slept more than two hours in a row.

The New Yorker

Along with higher wages, they said, they would like to earn overtime when they work more than eight hours in a row.

The New York Times

The first time I discovered the record it sampled [Today by Tom Scott] I was on acid in my dorm room at university and I didn't realise I'd listened to it for five hours in a row.

The Guardian - Music

I hadn't slept more than three hours in a row since she was born, my fatigue was unraveling into depression, my days had taken on the half-state of an early-morning dream.

The New York Times - Magazine

(It sorta reminds me of something I saw last night, a young girl breaking the Guinness World Record for most consecutive hours played in a platform game, which just so happened to be LittleBigPlanet 2. Fifty hours in a row, people!).

TechCrunch

At this point I couldn't sleep for more than two hours in a row if I wanted to.

Huffington Post

On Mondays, for instance, he spends six hours in a row either teaching classes or attending related lectures.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a continuous activity, use "four hours in a row" to clearly indicate that there were no interruptions. This is especially useful in contexts where interruptions are common or expected.

Common error

Avoid using "four hours in a row" when you mean "four hours each day". The phrase "in a row" specifies consecutiveness. If the activity occurs daily but not continuously, use "four hours each day" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "four hours in a row" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the duration and continuity of an action. It specifies that an activity occurred for four continuous hours without interruption. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "four hours in a row" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes a continuous duration of four hours without any interruptions. Ludwig AI validates that "four hours in a row" is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, and is considered to have a neutral tone, as evidenced by examples from The New York Times, The Guardian, and other reliable sources. When using this phrase, ensure that you intend to convey the uninterrupted nature of the activity. Consider alternatives like ""four consecutive hours"" or ""four straight hours"" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

four consecutive hours

Replaces "in a row" with "consecutive", emphasizing the sequential nature of the hours.

four straight hours

Uses "straight" instead of "consecutive" or "in a row", indicating uninterrupted duration.

a four-hour stretch

Emphasizes the continuous block of time as a single period.

four hours without a break

Explicitly mentions the absence of interruptions during the four-hour period.

uninterrupted four hours

Highlights the lack of interruptions.

four solid hours

Uses "solid" to convey the uninterrupted and substantial nature of the time period.

four hours continuously

Uses the adverb "continuously" to directly indicate the ongoing nature of the four hours.

for a four-hour duration

Focuses on the length of the activity.

lasting four hours straight

Highlights the duration and the uninterrupted nature of the activity.

during four hours straight

Focuses on an activity happening during the four hours without stopping.

FAQs

How can I use "four hours in a row" in a sentence?

You can use "four hours in a row" to describe a continuous duration of an activity. For example, "I studied for "four hours in a row" without taking a break".

What is a synonym for "four hours in a row"?

Alternatives to "four hours in a row" include "four consecutive hours" or "four straight hours". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "four hours straight" instead of "four hours in a row"?

Yes, ""four straight hours"" is a correct and commonly used alternative to "four hours in a row". Both phrases indicate a continuous, uninterrupted period.

What's the difference between "working four hours in a row" and "working four hours each day"?

"Working "four hours in a row"" means working continuously for four hours. "Working four hours each day" means working four hours per day, but not necessarily continuously. There might be breaks or interruptions.