two hours previous to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two hours previous to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time that is two hours before a specific event or moment. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for 3 PM, so I arrived two hours previous to that time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others lived far away and had arrived to the scene just two hours previous but were integrated with such seamlessness that they seemed like residents of the area.

Huffington Post

Just as volcanic eruptions cause tsunamis many hours after the event, it was easy to imagine the gale-force storm which ripped across the Oval outfield originating from within the pavilion two hours previous.

Independent

A mere twelve hours previous, across the bar was a couture wearing priss while today, across the counter a grizzled gun salesman utters, "Here's a pamphlet on gun safety, blah, blah, blah...just sign it and I'll go set the scope for your firearm".

Huffington Post

He had spent the previous two hours talking to their chief, Riyad Hijab, a former Syrian prime minister who defected in 2012.

The Guardian

In saying that, they alleged I'd spent the previous two hours lying to them, that there was no integrity behind my stance and that the column had been written simply to be malicious and to persecute an individual.

The Guardian - Sport

The degree of curvature was monitored over two hours and compared to previous results.

BMC Plant Biology

The X Factor aired for one hour on Wednesday, compared to its typical two hours in previous seasons.

BBC

Urine samples were collected according to guidelines (first catch urine: FCU, mid-stream, at least two hours after previous urination, at least 10 - 20 ml urine).

BMC Women's Health

A safer bet is two hours, judging by previous elections.

BBC

The Nation's Greg Mitchell wrote Tuesday that MSNBC's hosts devoted just 15 minutes to the crisis over five hours the previous night, a sharp contrast to CNN, which has sent high-profile hosts like Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper to Jerusalem and Gaza City, along with several senior correspondents, who appear on air throughout the day.

Huffington Post

More US national and state park holiday ideas Fly direct to the Peruvian capital Peru has long been the most popular destination in South America for British visitors, so it's about time an airline launched a direct flight from London to Lima, as British Airways will do in May, cutting up to three hours off previous flights times via Spain.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the audience. If clarity and brevity are paramount, opt for simpler alternatives like "two hours before" instead of "two hours previous to".

Common error

Avoid using "two hours previous to" in informal contexts. The phrase can sound stilted or unnatural in casual conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two hours previous to" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying a time frame that precedes a particular event. Ludwig AI indicates its usability. It sets a temporal boundary.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "two hours previous to" is grammatically correct, Ludwig AI suggests that it's relatively uncommon compared to simpler alternatives like "two hours before". Its purpose is to specify a time frame prior to an event, but its formality can make it less suitable for casual contexts. When writing, consider your audience and choose the phrasing that best balances clarity and naturalness. The more familiar phrase will often serve you better. Note that given the lack of examples, usage contexts are difficult to assess, so the above analysis is only an approximation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two hours before

More concise and common alternative using "before" to indicate a time preceding a specific event.

two hours prior to

A slightly more formal alternative using "prior to" instead of "before", maintaining a similar meaning.

two hours earlier

Directly indicates that something happened two hours before the current time or event.

two hours preceding

A more formal and literary alternative indicating a time immediately before something else.

two hours ahead of

Emphasizes the anticipation or scheduling aspect, suggesting preparation or planning.

two hours in advance of

Highlights the proactive nature of doing something well before a specified time.

two hours leading up to

Focuses on the period leading up to an event, rather than a specific time point.

within the two hours before

Specifies an action occurring at some point during the two-hour window leading up to an event.

two hours until

Indicates the remaining time before an event occurs, with a focus on anticipation.

up to two hours before

Implies a maximum duration, suggesting the event occurred at some point within the two hours prior.

FAQs

What is a simpler way to say "two hours previous to"?

You can use more common and concise alternatives like "two hours before" or "two hours prior to" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "two hours previous to" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase is grammatically correct, although it is less frequently used compared to alternatives like "two hours before".

When is it appropriate to use "two hours previous to"?

While grammatically correct, it's better to use simpler options such as "two hours before" in most situations.

What's the difference between "two hours previous to" and "two hours before"?

The difference is primarily in style and frequency. "Two hours before" is more common and less formal. "Two hours previous to" is grammatically valid but less common.