multiple hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"multiple hours" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an amount of time that is greater than one hour, but not necessarily an exact number of hours. For example, "I spent multiple hours studying for the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People stayed for multiple hours," Mr. Henry said.

The New York Times - Arts

The microgrids capability in operating in the islanded mode for multiple hours is scrutinized by a T τ islanding criterion.

Electric Power Systems Research

Super Days get their name because they take multiple hours, sometimes even full days.

Columbia University

"Those are the people that are probably working multiple hours on their vacation or not taking vacation at all".

The New York Times

Flow batteries are one of most attractive battery technologies for storing multiple hours of energy on the grid.

MIT Technology Review

Almost 10% of fourth graders worldwide (one in 10 children) reported spending multiple hours on homework each night.

Independent

I spent multiple hours a day at work, as well as commuting to and from, while he struggled with the relentlessness of childcare.

The Guardian - Opinion

Multiple hours with my fingers in fur had resulted in some unexpected therapy, and I felt at peace, ready for a bone and a late afternoon nap.

The New York Times

In one case, an airline crew member apparently transmitted the disease to other crew members "who had spent multiple hours working together," Dr. Castro said.

The New York Times

But after hundreds of practice go-rounds on Earth and multiple hours of space walks, he and his team proved them wrong.

MIT Technology Review

If everyone did these three things, I have no doubt that multiple hours of misery could be avoided and billions of dollars could be saved.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "multiple hours" when you want to indicate a duration longer than one hour without specifying an exact number. It suggests more than a couple of hours, but less than a full day.

Common error

Avoid using "multiple hours" when you have precise information about the duration. If you know something took exactly three hours, it's better to say "three hours" rather than "multiple hours."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "multiple hours" functions as a modifier of a noun, typically specifying the duration of an event, activity, or process. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely used in written English. It is an adjective phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "multiple hours" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote a duration exceeding one hour without specifying the exact quantity. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and acceptable in written English. As demonstrated by the examples, it appears most frequently in news and media sources but is also common in academic and scientific writing. When precision is required, substituting with more specific durations is advisable. Alternative phrases like "several hours" or "a few hours" can offer nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several hours

Emphasizes an indefinite but relatively small number of hours.

a few hours

Suggests a shorter duration compared to "multiple hours".

many hours

Indicates a large, unspecified quantity of hours spent.

numerous hours

Similar to 'many hours' but slightly more formal.

extended hours

Implies working or being open for a longer duration than usual.

prolonged hours

Highlights that the duration is longer than expected or desired.

for hours on end

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the activity over several hours.

considerable time

More general; could refer to hours, days, or even longer periods.

lengthy period

A more formal and general term for a substantial duration.

a long time

A simpler, less specific way of indicating that something lasted for a while.

FAQs

How can I use "multiple hours" in a sentence?

You can use "multiple hours" to describe the duration of an activity. For example: "I spent "multiple hours" /s/studying for the exam" or "The meeting lasted for "multiple hours".

What's a synonym for "multiple hours"?

Alternatives to "multiple hours" include "several hours", "a few hours", or "many hours", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "multiples of hours"?

While grammatically understandable, "multiples of hours" is not a common expression. It is better to use "multiple hours" or other alternatives like "several hours" or "a number of hours".

How does "multiple hours" compare to "several hours"?

"Multiple hours" and "several hours" are very similar. "Several hours" might imply a slightly smaller quantity compared to "multiple hours", but they are often interchangeable.