in the next few hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the next few hours" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "I need to finish this project in the next few hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two others died in the next few hours.

The New York Times

Should anything happen in the next few hours, we'll whack up an update here.

The Guardian - Sport

In the next few hours, Trump was informed that allied airstrikes had killed Kim.

The Washington Post

In the next few hours, the agents started taking other children, too.

The New Yorker

In the next few hours, Chile, Switzerland, Iceland, Brazil and Australia joined.

The Guardian

"It is hoped that they arrive in the next few hours," he said.

The New Yorker

"In the next few hours, they have to surrender themselves and their weapons".

The New York Times

He had many occasions to think of that remark in the next few hours.

The New Yorker

We will be reviewing the fog warning in the next few hours".

The Guardian

But now for the Gaza story you won't be hearing from anyone else in the next few hours.

Independent

In the next few hours, his blood pressure fell, his breathing worsened, and he drifted from agitation to near-unconsciousness.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the next few hours" to convey a sense of urgency or immediacy in your writing. This phrase is suitable for scenarios where quick action or anticipation is needed, providing a clear timeframe for expected events.

Common error

Avoid using "in the next few hours" when the actual timeframe is uncertain or longer than a few hours. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact and credibility, especially if events do not unfold as quickly as implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the next few hours" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action will occur. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples demonstrating its use to set a short-term timeframe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

16%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the next few hours" is a grammatically correct and very common adverbial phrase used to indicate that something will occur shortly. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples highlight its usage across diverse contexts such as news, business, and general announcements. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency or expectation, making it crucial to use it accurately and avoid overstating immediacy. When crafting your content, remember that there are alternatives like "within a few hours" or "shortly thereafter", if you want to express the same concept without repeating this specific expression. These alternatives can slightly alter the tone, adding variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Within a few hours

Maintains the temporal limit of a few hours, differing primarily in phrasing.

In the coming hours

Shifts the focus slightly to the progression of time, suggesting events unfolding as time passes.

Imminently

This single word emphasizes the high likelihood and closeness in time of the upcoming event.

In the immediate future

Highlights that the events will occur soon and are part of the near-term plans or expectations.

Shortly thereafter

Emphasizes the quick succession of events, focusing on the time elapsed after a specific moment.

Momentarily

Implies that events are on the verge of happening, almost instantly.

Before long

Emphasizes the brevity of the wait until the anticipated events occur.

In due course

Indicates that events will happen at the appropriate time, though it is less specific about the timeframe.

On the horizon

This expression implies events are nearing and about to become apparent or relevant.

Just around the corner

Suggests the events are very close in time and easily accessible or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "in the next few hours" in a sentence?

You can use "in the next few hours" to indicate something will happen shortly. For example, "The decision will be announced "in the next few hours"."

What is a similar phrase to "in the next few hours"?

Similar phrases include "within a few hours", "shortly thereafter", or "in the coming hours", each conveying a slightly different nuance of time.

Is it correct to say "over the next few hours" instead of "in the next few hours"?

Both "in the next few hours" and "over the next few hours" are grammatically correct, but they can imply different perspectives. "In" suggests a specific window of time, while "over" can imply a process or change occurring throughout the period.

What's the difference between "in the next few hours" and "in the next few days"?

The key difference is the timeframe. "In the next few hours" implies a shorter, more immediate period, while "in the next few days" refers to a more extended timeframe. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the expected duration.