interminable hours of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interminable hours of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of time that seems endless or excessively long, often in a negative context. Example: "After sitting in the waiting room for what felt like interminable hours of boredom, I finally got called in for my appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

What was important, the scientists concluded, was simply breaking up the long, interminable hours of sitting.

The New York Times

After two interminable hours of prelims, the fanfare that precedes a title bout finally begins.

The New York Times - Magazine

Does it make us throw up our hands and shout at the moon or drive us off to watch more interminable hours of reality shows or American Idol?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the laws of diminishing returns soon set in, and by the time St Peter's Basilica crashes down on a thousand pious worshippers you can only gasp at the fact that there's still an entire interminable hour of increasingly empty spectacle yet to unfold".

The Guardian - Film

We work our crippling rotas, with their interminable hours, because nothing could be as fulfilling as helping our patients through some of life's most difficult and distressing experiences.

Independent

"We talked for interminable hours," says Snowden.

The New Yorker

For three interminable hours, her parents didn't know if she was among the dozens massacred at the Bataclan concert hall.

Independent

Of course, I'm envious -- it's a wonderful way to pass away the interminable hours.

Huffington Post

But at the end of this interminable hour all he has revealed is that life's ugly side is ugly, which is no revelation at all.

The New York Times

First, each man needs to end up with three women on his team, and in the opening episode completing that first step took an interminable half-hour of introductions, entrances and exits.

The New York Times - Arts

Weeks of friends winding each other up, acres of billboard adverts, miles of column inches, and hours of radio and interminable chat shows have all contributed to creating the pressure-cooker atmosphere at kick-off.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "interminable hours of" to effectively convey the feeling of time stretching on endlessly, particularly when describing a tedious or unpleasant experience. This phrase adds a sense of subjective duration that is longer than expected.

Common error

Avoid using "interminable hours of" in very casual or informal settings. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "really long hours" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "interminable hours of" is to act as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to a situation or activity. It expresses the subjective experience of time passing slowly and tediously, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interminable hours of" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe periods of time that feel exceptionally long and tedious. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively rare in overall usage, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, use this phrase to effectively convey a subjective sense of extended duration, but be mindful of its somewhat formal tone, which might not be suitable for all casual conversations. Consider using alternatives like "endless hours of" or "never-ending hours of" for slightly less formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never-ending hours of

Replaces "interminable" with "never-ending", emphasizing the ceaseless nature of the hours.

endless hours of

Substitutes "interminable" with "endless", focusing on the lack of a perceived limit to the hours.

seemingly endless hours of

Adds "seemingly" to emphasize the subjective feeling of the hours being without end.

unending hours of

Uses "unending" in place of "interminable", highlighting the continuation of the hours without cessation.

long and tedious hours of

Replaces "interminable" with "long and tedious", specifying the unpleasant qualities of the extended time.

dreary hours of

Focuses on the depressing quality of the long hours.

oppressively long hours of

Highlights the burdensome and overwhelming feeling of the extended duration.

exhausting hours of

Emphasizes the draining effect of the prolonged time period.

grueling hours of

Highlights the severity and demanding nature of the time spent.

unbearably long hours of

Emphasizes the difficulty in enduring the extended duration.

FAQs

What does "interminable hours of" mean?

The phrase "interminable hours of" describes a period of time that feels exceedingly long and drawn out, often to the point of being tedious or unpleasant. The word "interminable" emphasizes the seemingly endless nature of the time.

What can I say instead of "interminable hours of"?

You can use alternatives like "never-ending hours of", "endless hours of", or "unbearably long hours of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "interminable hours" grammatically correct?

Yes, "interminable hours" is grammatically correct. "Interminable" is an adjective that modifies the noun "hours", describing them as seeming to have no end.

How can I use "interminable hours of" in a sentence?

You can use "interminable hours of" to describe a situation where time feels extended and unpleasant, such as "After the accident, the interminable hours of waiting for news felt like an eternity."