too many hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too many hours" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an excessive amount of time. Example: "I have been working too many hours this week and I am exhausted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You stand up all the time, for too many hours.

The New York Times

"I was working too many hours," he said.

The New York Times

Too many hours in front of the screen.

The New Yorker

Cigars, leather, burnt sugar, espresso that's been boiling for too many hours".

The New York Times

The team bus driver, though, had been awake too many hours to travel legally overnight.

The New York Times - Sports

Recently, her arthritis started flaring up, the result of too many hours of hard work.

The New York Times

But sometimes it seems to Mr. Kite that there are too many hours in the day.

The New York Times

He spends far too many hours searching eBay for obscure Danish furniture from the 1960s.

Independent

He said he was working too many hours for what I was paying him.

The New York Times

And too many families still work too many hours with too little to show for it".

The Guardian - Money

It's the smell of too many people working too many hours.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "too many hours" to emphasize the need for better time management or workload distribution.

Common error

Avoid using "too many hours" without providing context or comparison. Specify the activity or situation to make the statement more impactful and understandable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too many hours" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating an excessive or undesirable amount of time spent on something. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It often modifies a verb or noun phrase related to an activity or task.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too many hours" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express an excessive amount of time spent on an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears in diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media, but is also suitable for formal and informal settings. The primary function is to convey concern or disapproval regarding time allocation. When using this phrase, consider specifying the context to enhance clarity and impact. The examples Ludwig provides are consistent with this analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive time commitment

Emphasizes the commitment of time as being excessive.

overextended working hours

Focuses specifically on working hours being overextended.

undue amount of time

Highlights that the time spent is not appropriate or justifiable.

extended duration

Indicates a long or prolonged period.

prolonged period

Similar to extended duration but can apply to various activities, not just work.

excessive overtime

Specifically refers to overtime work that is beyond what is reasonable.

inordinate length of time

Stresses the unusual and excessive length of the time involved.

unreasonable timeframe

Highlights the impracticality of the time allocated.

long working days

Focuses on the length of the working day being too long.

unrealistic deadlines

While not directly about hours, it implies excessive time pressure to meet deadlines.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "too many hours" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "excessive time commitment" or "undue amount of time" for a more professional tone.

What are some consequences of working "too many hours"?

Working "too many hours" can lead to burnout, reduced productivity, health problems, and strained personal relationships. Prioritizing work-life balance is essential.

Is it grammatically correct to say "too much hours" instead of "too many hours"?

No, "too much hours" is grammatically incorrect. "Hours" is a countable noun, so it requires "too many". "Too much" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "too much work").

What is the difference between "a few hours" and "too many hours"?

"A few hours" indicates a small, often acceptable, amount of time. "Too many hours" indicates an excessive amount of time, implying it's detrimental or undesirable.