just hours later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just hours later" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred a short time after a previous event. Example: "The storm had passed, and just hours later, the sun began to shine again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Domingo died just hours later.

Independent

Just hours later, half of its value was erased.

The New York Times

(Its members would join the Afródromo parade just hours later).

The New York Times - Arts

But just hours later, the companies vowed to keep fighting.

The New York Times

Just hours later, the same tabloids reported that they'd split.

Independent

It was up and running again just hours later.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just hours later, at lunchtime, the restaurant is empty.

The New York Times

Just hours later another youth was stabbed in the leg on the same busy street.

Independent

Then, just hours later, the North Koreans changed their minds, backing out of the meeting.

The Washington Post

Just hours later, one video of the speech had been viewed more than 100,000 times.

The New York Times

The newspaper confirmed the meeting was back on just hours later.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just hours later" to create a sense of urgency or immediacy in your writing, especially when describing a rapid sequence of events. For example: 'The announcement was made, and "just hours later", the market reacted sharply.'

Common error

Avoid using "just hours later" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or technical expression of time might be preferred. Opt for phrases like "a few hours afterward" or "shortly thereafter" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just hours later" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurred. It pinpoints the temporal relationship between two events, emphasizing the brevity of the interval. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just hours later" serves as a common and correct way to indicate that an event occurred shortly after another. According to Ludwig, it is widely used, particularly in news and media contexts, to emphasize immediacy and create a sense of urgency. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "shortly thereafter" in academic or highly professional settings. Remember to leverage this phrase to highlight the swift sequence of events, but avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. Its widespread use underscores its versatility in conveying temporal relationships effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortly thereafter

Emphasizes the brief time span between events using a more formal tone.

a few hours afterward

Specifies the time frame more explicitly, using "afterward" as a direct temporal successor.

mere hours afterward

Highlights the surprisingly short time between two events, similar to the original phrase.

not long after

Indicates a relatively short time passage, without specifying the exact duration.

soon after that

A more general term for a sequence of events, indicating proximity in time.

in the hours that followed

Highlights a series of events that unfolded during the hours after a certain moment.

within a few short hours

Specifies the brevity and immediacy of the succeeding event.

a short time subsequently

Subsequently means 'happening after something' and also brings a formal tone.

before the day was out

Expresses that something happened during the same day.

in rapid succession

Indicates that the events happened one immediately after the other.

FAQs

How can I use "just hours later" in a sentence?

You can use "just hours later" to indicate that something happened a short time after a previous event. For example: "The deal was announced, and "just hours later", the stock price surged."

What are some alternatives to "just hours later"?

Some alternatives include "shortly thereafter", "a few hours afterward", or "soon after that", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "just hours later" appropriate for formal writing?

While "just hours later" is grammatically correct, it may be more suited for news articles or informal writing. In formal or academic contexts, consider using "subsequently" or "thereafter" for a more professional tone.

What does "just hours later" emphasize in a sentence?

"Just hours later" emphasizes the short time frame between two events, highlighting how quickly the second event followed the first. It adds a sense of immediacy and can suggest a causal relationship or a dramatic turn of events.