two hours behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two hours behind" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when describing the difference between two time points. For example: "We left two hours behind the schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Those owned by Muslims, which tend to be small businesses, are two hours behind.

The New York Times

Now we're only two hours behind schedule, perhaps the best time we've made all week.

The Guardian - Travel

Several players spoke in his behalf, as did his sons, before the trustees met for two hours behind closed doors.

The New York Times - Sports

At 12 45 a.m., two hours behind schedule, Mr. Atwenewa Ampem, surrounded by a large retinue and backed by his own percussionists, swept into the hall.

The New York Times

As the stage began, five riders — all about two hours behind Voeckler — surged out of the pack at the mile mark and built a lead of 4 15.

The New York Times - Sports

Tuul was nearly two hours behind the winner and had to finish outside the Olympic stadium, which was being readied for the closing ceremony.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

After the 20-minute helicopter flight to the Australian icebreaker, we were sudenly five hours behind, on Western Australian time (GMT+8).

The Guardian

Home was four thousand miles away, and six hours behind; pretty soon, it would be quite reasonable, surely, to return yet again to my room and see if there were any fresh bulletins from that quarter.

The New Yorker

Still living on LA time, he rises at 3.30pm every afternoon to Skype Kimberly and Kailey, eight hours behind, before they go to work and school, and again when they return.

The Guardian

The whole one-way ticket price is paid for journeys between one and two hours behind schedule.

Independent

We finally hit the road three hours behind schedule.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "two hours behind" to clearly indicate being delayed relative to a schedule, a competitor, or a reference point. For example, "The train was two hours behind schedule" or "The runner was two hours behind the leader".

Common error

Avoid using "behind" when "ago" is more appropriate. "Behind" indicates a relative position, while "ago" refers to a point in the past. Incorrect: "The event happened two hours behind." Correct: "The event happened two hours ago."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two hours behind" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent of a delay or the degree of difference in time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "two hours behind" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a delay or time difference. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase, primarily found in news, media, and wiki contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the reference point, and avoid confusing "behind" with "ago". Remember to use alternatives like "two hours late" or "lagging by two hours" when appropriate, and always ensure grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

running two hours behind schedule

Specifically refers to a schedule or planned timeline.

two hours late

Focuses on the lateness aspect rather than the relative difference.

operating two hours behind

Specifically describes the state of operations being delayed.

lagging by two hours

Emphasizes the act of falling behind in a more active sense.

trailing by two hours

Suggests a pursuit where one entity is following another at a distance.

a two-hour delay

Highlights the delay itself as the central piece of information.

slower by two hours

Implies a comparative lack of speed or progress.

two hours in arrears

Formal way of saying that a task or payment is overdue by the specified amount of time.

two hours adrift

Conveys a sense of being lost or off course in terms of time.

two hours removed

Indicates a separation or distance in time.

FAQs

How can I use "two hours behind" in a sentence?

You can use "two hours behind" to describe a delay, time difference, or trailing position. For example, "The flight was "two hours behind schedule"" or "Los Angeles is "three hours behind New York"".

What's a similar phrase to "two hours behind"?

Similar phrases include "two hours late", "lagging by two hours", or "running two hours behind", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "two hours behind of"?

No, the correct phrasing is "two hours behind". The preposition "of" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What does it mean when something is "two hours behind"?

It means that something is delayed by two hours, or that there's a two-hour difference between two points in time or progress.