lasted for two hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lasted for two hours" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the duration of an event or activity that continued for a period of two hours. Example: "The meeting lasted for two hours, covering all the important topics on the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The synthesis lasted for two hours at 95 °C temperature.

Construction and Building Materials

I had a great meeting with -- it lasted for two hours.

The Washington Post

The eclipse began at 9am and lasted for two hours or so".

The Guardian

Their visit lasted for two hours, and afterward they continued to correspond.

The New Yorker

Each incrustation measurement lasted for two hours, during which heat transfer resistance was measured as a function of time.

Applied Thermal Engineering

The clash lasted for two hours before airstrikes were called in, which ended the fight, Mr. Zawak said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

It lasted for three hours.

The Washington Post

It lasted for five hours.

The Guardian - Arts

It lasted for nine hours and it was relatively good.

The New York Times

In Colbert's office, their conversation lasted for four hours.

The New Yorker

Zadrozny's drug-induced madness lasted for thirty-six hours.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or processes, use "lasted for two hours" to clearly communicate the duration, providing context to the reader.

Common error

Avoid omitting "for" as in "lasted two hours". While sometimes acceptable in informal speech, it is grammatically preferable to include "for" in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lasted for two hours" functions as a modifier describing the duration of an event or activity. Ludwig's examples show it commonly used to specify the length of meetings, battles, or even natural phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lasted for two hours" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the duration of an event or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and scientific contexts, and is generally considered to be of a neutral register. While omitting the "for" is sometimes done informally, it's best to include it in formal writing. Remember to use this phrase when you need to clearly communicate the length of time something took.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued for a couple of hours

Replaces "lasted" with "continued" and uses "a couple of" instead of the numeral "two", softening the precision.

extended for two hours

Substitutes "lasted" with "extended", emphasizing the idea of length in time.

persisted for two hours

Replaces "lasted" with "persisted", suggesting a more determined or resistant continuation.

ran for two hours

Uses "ran" instead of "lasted", suitable for events or processes that operate continuously.

spanned two hours

Employs "spanned" to focus on the period of time that something covered.

went on for two hours

Offers a more conversational alternative, replacing "lasted" with the phrasal verb "went on".

occupied two hours

Focuses on the time that something took up, implying that those hours were filled.

consumed two hours

Similar to "occupied", but emphasizes the use or expenditure of time.

endured for two hours

Suggests that the time period was difficult or trying, with "endured" replacing "lasted".

was two hours in duration

Changes the structure to a more formal expression, emphasizing the duration itself.

FAQs

How can I use "lasted for two hours" in a sentence?

You can use "lasted for two hours" to describe the duration of an event, meeting, or process. For example, "The meeting "lasted for two hours" and covered all the key agenda items."

What are some alternatives to "lasted for two hours"?

Alternatives include phrases like "continued for a couple of hours", "extended for two hours", or "went on for two hours", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "lasted two hours" without the "for"?

While "lasted two hours" might be acceptable in informal contexts, including "for" (i.e., ""lasted for two hours"") is generally considered more grammatically correct and is preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "lasted for two hours" and "was two hours long"?

"Lasted for two hours" focuses on the action or event and its duration, while "was two hours long" describes the duration as a characteristic of something. Both are valid, but their usage depends on the context.