hours on end

USAGE SUMMARY

'hours on end' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize the duration of an activity, such as waiting, studying, or working. For example: "I spent hours on end studying for my upcoming exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Focus on one sentence in particular for hours on end.

Huffington Post

No one likes sitting in traffic or queuing in line for hours on end.

BBC

I literally played them hours on end.

The Guardian

She would scream for hours on end.

The New York Times

We would improvise for hours on end.

The Guardian

Everyone was at the ready for hours on end.

The New York Times - Sports

He talks on television for hours on end.

The New York Times

I could watch it for hours on end.

The New York Times

Often, she simply sat and waited for hours on end.

The New Yorker

(I listen to "Oh! Susanna" for hours on end).

The New York Times

And this they do for hours on end.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hours on end" to emphasize the length and often tedious nature of an activity. For example, "I had to wait in line for "hours on end" just to get a ticket."

Common error

Avoid using "hours on end" repeatedly in a short span of text. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Consider alternatives like "for several hours" or "for a prolonged period".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hours on end" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the duration of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It emphasizes the prolonged and often continuous nature of the activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

34%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hours on end" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe activities that take a considerable amount of time continuously. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news, media, and general writing to emphasize duration, often implying that the activity is repetitive or requires patience. While "hours on end" is suitable for many contexts, it's best to opt for more formal alternatives like "for extended periods" in formal writing. Be mindful of overusing the phrase to maintain the reader's engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-stop for hours

Highlights the lack of interruption during the specified time.

continuously for hours

Stresses the unbroken nature of the activity over the period.

for extended periods

Focuses on the duration being long, but uses a more formal tone.

uninterruptedly for hours

Similar to “continuously”, but focuses more on the absence of interruptions.

for a considerable time

Highlights the length of time involved, providing a slightly more vague measure.

for long stretches

Emphasizes continuous, unbroken time segments.

for prolonged durations

Stresses the length of the activity with a more formal vocabulary.

for an eternity

Implies a very long time, often with a sense of hyperbole or exaggeration.

day after day

Focuses on consecutive days of doing something.

week after week

Similar to "day after day" but on a weekly timescale.

FAQs

How can I use "hours on end" in a sentence?

You can use "hours on end" to describe an activity that takes a very long time without stopping, like "She practiced piano for "hours on end" to prepare for the concert."

What can I say instead of "hours on end"?

You can use alternatives like "for extended periods", "for a considerable time", or "for long stretches" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "hours on end" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "hours on end" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "for extended periods" or "for a prolonged duration".

What is the difference between "hours on end" and "for hours"?

"Hours on end" emphasizes the continuous and possibly tedious nature of an activity over a long duration. "For hours" simply indicates the activity lasted several hours, without necessarily implying it was continuous or difficult.