two-hour intervals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two-hour intervals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a recurring event or action that takes place every two hours. Example: "The medication should be taken at two-hour intervals to ensure its effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The action is repeated at two-hour intervals throughout the afternoon and evening.

The New York Times

British transport planes flying at about two-hour intervals ferried in the first contingent of NATO soldiers, who are to complete plans for the British-led operation.

The New York Times

Designed by two European Jesuits at the behest of the Manchu Emperor Qianlong, the clock featured each animal of the Chinese zodiac spouting water at two-hour intervals.

The New York Times - Arts

If there's forty-five Republicand and they begin to speak around the clock, let's say they take two-hour intervals, which is not a heavy lift, each member only has to speak once every four days.

The New Yorker

And when you don't write back after nine-plus minutes, I'll ignore each of your responses for two-hour intervals increasing by approximately a hundred and fifty per cent per text.

The New Yorker

Designed in the 18th century by two European Jesuits at the behest of the Manchu Emperor Qianlong, the fountain-clock featured each animal of the Chinese zodiac, spouting water at two-hour intervals.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

That is, 5th and 12th intervals.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

p′s are for hypothesis of proportional frequencies for 2nd and 3rd intervals versus the other three intervals (df = 1).

Archives of Sexual Behavior

I'm giving him pain medicine at six-hour intervals.

The Guardian - Opinion

At other times, the ferries will leave at half-hour intervals and make the two stops.

The New York Times

Sporadic blasts are heard throughout the night at one-hour intervals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a schedule or process, ensure the context clearly indicates what occurs during each of the "two-hour intervals". For example, "The experiment involved measurements taken at "two-hour intervals" to track changes over time."

Common error

Avoid using "two-hour intervals" when you mean a single block of two hours. "Two-hour intervals" implies a repeated or recurring pattern, not a one-time duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two-hour intervals" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used adverbially to specify the frequency or spacing of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used expression. Examples from Ludwig showcase its application in describing schedules, procedures, and recurring actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "two-hour intervals" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase functioning adverbially, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's primarily used to specify the frequency or spacing of events, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "every two hours" exist, "two-hour intervals" provides a clear and precise way to describe recurring actions with a specific duration between them. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what occurs during each interval to avoid any misunderstanding. Be mindful that this phrase implies a recurring event. The expression is suitable for both formal and informal communication, maintaining a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every two hours

Replaces the noun phrase with a simpler adverbial phrase indicating frequency.

two-hourly periods

Substitutes "intervals" with "periods" while maintaining the same meaning and frequency.

at intervals of two hours

Rephrases the interval description by using "at intervals of" prepositional phrase.

in two-hour increments

Emphasizes the increase or progression in time using "increments".

every 120 minutes

Converts the time frame to minutes for greater precision or to vary phrasing.

bi-hourly occurrences

Uses "bi-hourly" as an adjective and replaces "intervals" with "occurrences".

two-hour gaps

Focuses on the space or gap between events using "gaps".

two-hour segments

Emphasizes the division of time into discrete portions with the word "segments".

periods of two hours

Alters the structure to focus on the duration of the periods rather than the intervals.

spaced two hours apart

Highlights the separation between events in terms of time.

FAQs

How can I use "two-hour intervals" in a sentence?

Use "two-hour intervals" to describe events or actions that are repeated every two hours. For instance, "The medication should be administered at "two-hour intervals" to maintain its effectiveness."

What are some alternatives to saying "two-hour intervals"?

You can use alternatives like "every two hours", "two-hourly periods", or "at intervals of two hours" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in two-hour intervals"?

While grammatically acceptable, it's more common and natural to say "at "two-hour intervals"" or simply "every two hours". The preposition 'in' isn't typically used with "intervals" in this context.

What's the difference between "two-hour intervals" and "every two hours"?

"Two-hour intervals" is a noun phrase that describes the duration between recurring events, while "every two hours" is an adverbial phrase that directly indicates frequency. They are often interchangeable, but "two-hour intervals" might be used to emphasize the specific duration of the interval.