two hours before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two hours before" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to express something that will occur at a certain time prior to another event. For example, "We need to leave two hours before the train departs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two hours 19 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

The dependent variables studied were cumulative percent release after two hours (Y1), four hours (Y2) and eight hours (Y3).

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

It takes me two hours 15 minutes.

The Guardian

On one afternoon we did 27 in two hours 40".

The Guardian

Journey time: Taynuilt is two hours 40 minutes from Glasgow.

The Guardian - Travel

It was over in two hours 11 minutes.

The New York Times

The bus trip from Latour de Carol to Andorra La Vella takes two hours 20 minutes, and from L'Hospitalet, two hours 40 minutes.

The New York Times

The analysis focuses on two hours, 9 AM and 12 PM, but forecasting results are presented for all twenty-four hours.

International Journal of Forecasting

Paris will be two hours 15 minutes away, and Brussels one hour 55 minutes.

The Guardian - Business

Paszek, the world No59, saved five match points before defeating Kerber in two hours 45 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

It hosts a stunning free sculpture trail 5km (two hours 30 minutes) long.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "two hours before" to clearly specify a timeframe preceding an event or deadline. This phrase is suitable for instructions, schedules, and planning activities.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what event or time the "two hours before" refers to. For example, instead of "Arrive two hours before", specify "Arrive two hours before the flight departure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two hours before" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating a specific time frame preceding an event. It specifies when something should occur in relation to another event.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "two hours before" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to specify a timeframe preceding an event. Despite being correct, there are no examples available to analyse and provide further and conclusive information. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for instructions, schedules, and general planning, maintaining a neutral register applicable in both formal and informal contexts. For clarity, always specify the event that "two hours before" refers to. Alternative phrases like "two hours prior to" can offer a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Two hours prior to

Replaces "before" with "prior to", maintaining a formal tone.

Two hours earlier than

Focuses on the temporal precedence compared to a specific time or event.

Two hours in advance of

Similar to "before", but emphasizes preparation and planning.

A couple of hours preceding

Uses "a couple of hours" for approximation and "preceding" for a more formal alternative to "before".

With a two-hour buffer before

Emphasizes a safety margin of two hours before something.

Two hours ahead of

Implies a countdown perspective, focusing on the time remaining until the event.

120 minutes before

Specifies the time in minutes instead of hours, adding precision.

Leading up to two hours before

Indicates a period of time leading to the two-hour mark before an event.

Two hours in anticipation of

Highlights the expectation and preparation for an event.

Before two hours have elapsed

Highlights that action must be taken before the two hours have completed.

FAQs

How do I use "two hours before" in a sentence?

Use "two hours before" to indicate a specific time frame prior to an event. For example, "The medication should be taken two hours before meals".

What's a more formal alternative to "two hours before"?

A more formal alternative is "two hours prior to", which maintains a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "two hours before" something or "two hours prior" something?

While both are generally understandable, "two hours before" is more common in everyday language. "Two hours prior to" is more formal and often preferred in official documents.

Can "two hours before" be used to describe a deadline?

Yes, you can use "two hours before" to indicate a deadline. For example, "Submissions must be received two hours before the conference begins".