next few hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'next few hours' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a specific period of time that will occur in the near future. For example, "I will finish the project in the next few hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Next few hours: state secret).

The New Yorker

The next few hours were chaos.

The New York Times

"Over the next few hours I got worse.

Independent

During the next few hours, the civilians were murdered.

The New Yorker

Memories and conversation flowed through the next few hours.

The New York Times

Two others died in the next few hours.

The New York Times

What else can we expect over the next few hours?

The Guardian

But, for the next few hours, my mother kept talking.

The New York Times

Mr. Zaidi described what happened over the next few hours.

The New York Times

He'll be guiding you through the next few hours.

The Guardian - Sport

Over the next few hours I nodded at her sometimes.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning events or anticipating outcomes, use "next few hours" to set realistic expectations about short-term developments. For instance, "We expect to receive the test results in the "next few hours"" provides a clear timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "next few hours" when the intended period extends beyond a few hours. Using "next few days" or "coming days" would be more appropriate for longer durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "next few hours" functions as a temporal determiner, specifying a limited period of time immediately following the present. It is used to indicate when something will happen or is expected to happen. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "next few hours" is a commonly used and grammatically correct temporal determiner that specifies a short period immediately following the present. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase frequently appears in news and media contexts, providing a clear timeframe for anticipated events. While alternatives like "coming hours" or "following hours" exist, "next few hours" offers a balance of formality and specificity. When writing, remember to use it accurately to refer to a time frame of roughly 3-5 hours and avoid confusing it with longer durations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following hours

Replaces "next" with "following", slightly altering the temporal perspective but maintaining proximity.

coming hours

Omits "few" and "next", focusing solely on the imminent future.

subsequent hours

Uses a more formal term, "subsequent", for "next", implying a sequence.

immediate future

A more general phrase that encompasses the "next few hours" but lacks specificity.

near future

Similar to "immediate future" but even less precise about the timeframe.

in a little while

An informal way to indicate a short period of time, but vaguer than "next few hours".

shortly

A single word indicating something will happen soon, lacking the duration implied by "next few hours".

the period ahead

A broader phrase, indicating a general time frame in the future.

in the offing

More idiomatic way of saying something is about to happen.

the time ahead

Focuses on the progression of time without specifying a duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "next few hours" to refer to events expected to happen soon. For example, "The storm is expected to intensify over the "next few hours"".

What can I say instead of "next few hours"?

Alternatives include "coming hours", "following hours", or "subsequent hours", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "next few hours" or "last few hours"?

"Next few hours" refers to a time period in the near future, while "last few hours" refers to a time period that has recently passed. The choice depends on whether you're talking about something upcoming or something that has already occurred.

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

"Next couple hours" specifically refers to approximately two hours, while "next few hours" is a more general term encompassing a period of roughly 3-5 hours. The precise meaning of "few" can vary slightly, making "next couple hours" more precise.