several hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'several hours' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a period of time that is longer than two hours, but not long enough to be referred to as a day, week, or month. For example: "I had to wait several hours for the bus to arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chill for several hours.

The New York Times - Health

For several hours.

The New York Times - Magazine

Maybe several hours.

The New Yorker

— after several hours of partying.

The New York Times

We talked for several hours.

The New Yorker

Several hours passed without incident.

The New Yorker

So we talked several hours.

The New York Times

She overshot by several hours.

Independent

For several hours, nothing happened.

The New Yorker

Several hours pass.

The Guardian

Several hours' more reporting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several hours" to indicate a duration longer than a couple of hours but less than a full day, providing a general sense of time without being overly precise.

Common error

Avoid using "several hours" when a more precise timeframe is available or when the duration is actually shorter. If something only takes 90 minutes, saying "several hours" is an exaggeration that can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several hours" functions as an adverbial of duration, modifying a verb or clause to specify the length of time something takes or lasts. It is used to provide an approximate timeframe, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several hours" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a duration of time, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's best used when you want to provide an approximate timeframe, indicating a period longer than a few hours but less than a full day. You'll find it widely used across various contexts, from news reports and articles, to how-to guides and other Wiki entries. When writing, consider alternatives like "a few hours" or "a number of hours" for slight variations in meaning. Remember that exaggerating the duration can be misleading, so use "several hours" accurately. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its versatile usage in real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few hours

Emphasizes a short duration, typically less than "several hours".

a number of hours

Highlights the count of hours, rather than the overall duration.

a couple of hours

Refers to approximately two hours, a more specific timeframe than "several hours".

multiple hours

Stresses that the duration involves more than one hour.

a considerable amount of time

Shifts the focus to the significance of the time spent, rather than the specific duration.

a period of hours

A more formal way to indicate a span of time measured in hours.

an extended period

Indicates a longer duration, potentially more than just "several hours".

for a good few hours

Emphasizes that the time duration was significant or substantial.

within a few hours

Focuses on the time frame within which something occurs, rather than the duration itself.

over a span of hours

Highlights the idea that the time was spread out or continuous.

FAQs

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

You can use "several hours" to describe the duration of an event, task, or activity. For example, "The meeting lasted "several hours"", or "I spent "several hours" working on the project".

What are some alternatives to using "several hours"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a few hours", "a number of hours", or "multiple hours" to describe a similar duration of time.

Is it appropriate to use "several hours" in formal writing?

Yes, "several hours" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It's a neutral phrase that is widely understood and accepted.

What is the difference between "a few hours" and "several hours"?

"A few hours" typically refers to a shorter duration, usually around 2-3 hours, while ""several hours"" suggests a longer duration, often more than 3 hours, but less than a full day.