hours to go

USAGE SUMMARY

"hours to go" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a future event or time that is still some hours away. For example: "We still have a few hours to go before the party starts. Let's finish getting ready." This sentence shows that the party is still a few hours away in the future. Another example: "There are only two hours to go until the deadline. We need to work quickly to finish the project." This sentence indicates that the deadline is approaching in just two hours from the present moment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Three hours to go.

The New Yorker

Two hours to go.

The New York Times - Travel

"Only three hours to go".

The Guardian - Film

Only ten more hours to go.

The Telegraph

There were 12 more hours to go.

The Washington Post

There were 48 hours to go.

The Guardian

Then it's three hours to go.

The Guardian - Sport

Just three more hours to go.

The New York Times - Style

They still had several hours to go.

The New York Times

But there's 48 hours to go".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There's still six-hours to go my friend.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hours to go" to express the remaining time before a specific event or deadline. Be clear about what the countdown refers to for better comprehension.

Common error

Ensure that the context makes it clear what the "hours to go" are counting down to. Without proper context, the phrase can be confusing or meaningless. E.g., instead of saying "Only a few hours to go", specify "Only a few hours to go before the concert starts."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hours to go" primarily functions as a temporal indicator, specifying a duration of time remaining before an event or deadline. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hours to go" is a versatile and widely used expression for indicating the time remaining before a specific event or deadline. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various registers, ranging from neutral news reporting to informal conversations. Its primary function is to inform and generate anticipation. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "time remaining" or "few hours remaining", "hours to go" effectively conveys the approaching nature of an event. The phrase's impact can be further enhanced by providing clear context about what the "hours to go" are counting down to, avoiding any potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Few hours remaining

Explicitly states the limited amount of time left.

Time remaining

Focuses on the amount of time left, omitting the verb "to go".

Time left

A shorter and more direct way of expressing the remaining time.

Remaining hours

Reorders the words to emphasize the "hours" aspect.

Final stretch

An idiomatic expression indicating the last part of a journey or task.

Almost there

Implies the end is near, without specifying the exact time.

Closing in

Indicates that a deadline or event is getting closer.

Nearing completion

Focuses on the progress towards finishing something within the remaining time.

The end is near

A dramatic way of saying the conclusion is close.

Drawing near

A more formal way of saying something is approaching.

FAQs

How can I use "hours to go" in a sentence?

You can use "hours to go" to indicate the remaining time before an event or deadline. For example, "There are only a few "hours to go" until the presentation begins."

What are some alternatives to "hours to go"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "time remaining", "few hours remaining", or "almost there" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "hours to go" or "hours remaining"?

Both "hours to go" and "hours remaining" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context, although "hours to go" often implies a countdown to an event.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "hours to go"?

It's appropriate to use "hours to go" when you want to emphasize the approaching nature of an event or deadline, creating a sense of anticipation or urgency.