hours passed

USAGE SUMMARY

"hours passed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the passing of an amount of time. For example: "Several hours passed before I realized I had left my keys at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Hours passed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Somehow the hours passed..

The New Yorker

Two hours passed.

The New York Times

Another 48 hours passed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several hours passed without incident.

The New Yorker

A couple of hours passed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Aimless hours pass, thoughts drift.

The New York Times - Travel

Several hours pass.

The Guardian

Hours pass heavily in a flash.

The Guardian

Let the hours pass whichever way they do.

The New York Times

A couple hours pass.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hours passed" to simply state that time has gone by, without implying anything more about the nature of that time. It is a neutral and straightforward way to indicate the progression of time in a narrative or description.

Common error

Avoid using "hours passed" when you want to emphasize the quality of the time that has passed (e.g., boredom, excitement). Choose a more descriptive phrase to capture the specific mood or feeling associated with the passage of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hours passed" functions as an independent clause indicating the progression of time. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used in narrative contexts to mark the elapsing of a duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hours passed" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a certain amount of time has elapsed. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to indicate the progression of time in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal writing. While straightforward, it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey when choosing between "hours passed" and related phrases like "time elapsed" or "time went by".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time went by

A more informal and general way to express the passage of time.

time elapsed

Focuses on the measurement of time that has gone by, often used in technical or scientific contexts.

the hours went on

Emphasizes the continuation of time, often implying a sense of monotony or anticipation.

the clock ticked on

Focuses on the relentless and continuous movement of time.

the minutes ticked by

Highlights the incremental passage of time, often used to create suspense or tension.

the moments drifted by

Conveys a sense of slow and peaceful passage of time.

time slipped away

Suggests that time passed unnoticed or was wasted.

days turned into weeks

Indicates a longer duration of time passing, often used to show a progression or change.

the years rolled by

Expresses the passage of a significant amount of time, often with a nostalgic or reflective tone.

the seasons changed

Indicates the passage of time through the cyclical changes in nature.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "hours passed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "time elapsed", "time went by", or "the hours went on".

How can I use "hours passed" in a sentence?

You can use "hours passed" to indicate the simple progression of time, such as: "Several "hours passed", and still no one had arrived."

Is "hours passed" formal or informal?

"Hours passed" is a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The tone of your writing will depend on the overall context, not just this phrase.

What's the difference between "hours passed" and "moments passed"?

"Hours passed" refers to a longer duration of time, while "moments passed" indicates a very short duration. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the amount of time that has elapsed.