over several hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over several hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that takes place during a duration of multiple hours. Example: "The experiment was conducted over several hours to ensure accurate results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But while its effects are more severe the higher one goes, they tend to set in gradually over several hours.

The New York Times - Travel

Over several hours the demographic shifts strikingly.

The New York Times - Arts

Adams injected her with repeated doses over several hours.

The Guardian

Migration was monitored every 15 min over several hours.

Nature

The subjects were then monitored over several hours.

The New York Times - Health

The method permitted reliable measurements of cellular O2 consumption over several hours.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

Treatment with exogenous MUFAs reduces the sensitivity of plasma membrane lipids to oxidation over several hours.

Stanford University

He filmed Husseini meeting the woman several times, over several hours of recordings.

The Guardian

They had been stabbed more than 200 times, bound, gagged, and tortured over several hours.

The Guardian

After a standoff over several hours, officers removed Waleed and put him on a cargo plane.

The Guardian

She was not present when the search occurred over several hours Monday night.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "over several hours" to describe processes, changes, or activities that unfold or occur gradually and continuously during a period of multiple hours. Be specific when possible, and quantify it when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "over several hours" when a precise duration is known. If you know the exact time frame (e.g., "over three hours"), using that specific duration is more accurate and informative than the more generic "over several hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over several hours" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or event. It specifies that something occurs or extends across a period of multiple hours, without indicating an exact duration. Ludwig confirms this is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over several hours" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase of time. It describes actions or events that unfold across a period of multiple hours, providing context to the duration of the described phenomena. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and found frequently in scientific, news media, and academic contexts. When using "over several hours", it's important to consider whether a more specific duration would improve clarity. While highly versatile, remember to avoid using it when a precise time frame is known to provide the most accurate and informative description possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spanning several hours

Focuses on the duration or extent of time covered.

lasting a few hours

Emphasizes the duration being relatively short and undefined.

for a number of hours

Highlights the quantity of time, potentially more than just a few.

across a multi-hour period

Emphasizes that the duration is a 'period'.

during a few hours

Focuses on events that occurred exclusively between the start and end point.

throughout several hours

Implies consistency or continuation across time.

over the course of several hours

Similar to spanning, emphasizing the progression through time.

in a matter of hours

Implies a sense of quickness, that something has been achieved in a few hours.

within a few hours

Highlights that something happens before the end of the hours.

extending for several hours

Stresses the prolonged nature of the duration.

FAQs

How can I use "over several hours" in a sentence?

You can use "over several hours" to describe a process or event that takes place during a period of multiple hours. For instance, "The data was collected "over several hours" to ensure accuracy".

What are some alternatives to "over several hours"?

Alternatives include phrases like "spanning several hours", "lasting a few hours", or "for a number of hours", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "over several hours" or "in several hours"?

"Over several hours" is used to describe a duration, while "in several hours" indicates a point in the future. For example, "The reaction occurred "over several hours"", versus "The meeting will begin "in several hours"".

When should I use "over several hours" versus a more specific time frame?

Use "over several hours" when the exact duration is unknown or unimportant, but it's known to be more than one hour. If the specific duration is known and relevant, use that instead (e.g., "over three hours").