over the hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over the hours" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts discussing time spent or accumulated over a period, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "We worked diligently over the hours to complete the project on time."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

He loves the job, and he can't get over the hours.

The New York Times - Magazine

A 2013 study by the CIPD found that 47% of workers on zero hour contracts were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their deal, with 72% believing they had choice over the hours they worked.

The Economist

Behind each aircraft is a team of 150 or more personnel, repairing and maintaining the plane and the heap of ground technology that keeps it in the air, poring over the hours of videos and radio signals it collects, and gathering the voluminous intelligence necessary to prompt a single strike.

The New York Times

The statistics - size of seat, angle of recline, leg room and so on won't help you too much - there's a website called www.seatplans.com dedicated to this subject - but it's really on long-haul flights where, over the hours, the differences make themselves felt.

The Guardian - Travel

The monthly influxes are equally divided over the hours within a month.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Fog Creek, the company behind Trello, and Peer1, the hosting company, joined forces over the hours.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

When I saw the clock tick over the hour, I was like, "get up".

BMC Public Health

(group 9, participant 1) When I saw the clock tick over the hour, I was like, "get up".

BMC Public Health

The courses are circuits, ideal for spectators who see the riders repeatedly over the hour.

The New York Times - Sports

But it has been growing clear, over the hour, that the new generation has the edge.

The Guardian

It was followed by The Car Show on BBC2, with 1.3 million viewers over the hour from 7.30pm.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events that unfold gradually, consider using "over the hours" to emphasize the prolonged nature of the process. For example, "The tension built over the hours as we waited for the results."

Common error

Avoid using "over the hours" when a simpler preposition like "during" or "throughout" would suffice. Overusing "over" can make your writing sound repetitive and less precise. For instance, prefer "The experiment ran during the hours of darkness" to "The experiment ran over the hours of darkness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the hours" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the duration or timeframe in which an action or event occurs. Ludwig examples showcase this usage in describing processes that unfold gradually or changes that transpire across a period.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over the hours" functions as an adverbial phrase that highlights how actions unfold across a duration of time. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that alternative phrasing may result in a more natural sounding expression, especially since the phrase is not commonly used. As Ludwig examples show, it appears in news, science, and wiki contexts with a neutral register. When considering using "over the hours", be sure that it conveys the precise meaning you intend: a gradual process or change occurring during a specific period. Prefer more common expressions such as “during the hours” or “throughout the hours” if there is no need to stress gradual evolution of an event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during those hours

Specifies a set of hours already mentioned.

during the hours

Changes the preposition to indicate an action happening within the specified time frame.

in those hours

Specifies a period of time.

throughout the hours

Emphasizes continuity across the entire period.

across the hours

Similar to 'throughout', highlighting distribution across the period.

in the course of the hours

More formal way to express 'during the hours'.

for the duration of the hours

Emphasizes continuity across a pre-defined period.

as the hours pass

Focuses on the passage of time itself.

within the span of hours

Highlights the duration of time.

in a matter of hours

Indicates something happening quickly.

FAQs

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

You can use "over the hours" to describe a process or change that occurs gradually during a specific period. For example, "The storm intensified "over the hours", leading to widespread flooding."

What phrases are similar to "over the hours"?

Alternatives include "during the hours", "throughout the hours", or "in the course of the hours", each carrying slightly different nuances related to duration and continuity.

Is it better to use "over the hours" or "during the hours"?

Both are acceptable, but "during the hours" is generally more common and can sound more natural. "Over the hours" often implies a gradual change or accumulation. Consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate phrase.

What's the difference between "over the hours" and "in a matter of hours"?

"Over the hours" describes a process unfolding gradually. "In a matter of hours" emphasizes the short duration of something. For instance, "The crisis escalated "over the hours"" versus "The situation was resolved "in a matter of hours"".