untold hours of

USAGE SUMMARY

"untold hours of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to a great deal of time spent on a task, often with much effort, that is not easily accounted for. For example, "Jim has dedicated untold hours of work to restoring the old barn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Untold hours of "spillover time" remain to be filled.

The New Yorker

Luckily, "their presence has been established by untold hours of filmed footage".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In the end, the ordeal cost Adeney several hundred thousand dollars and untold hours of sleep.

The New Yorker

After untold hours of labor on my mother's part, we had an enormous mosaic.

The New York Times

Millions of others will watch the official ceremony on Sunday morning and the untold hours of related coverage on television.

The New York Times

Since then, untold hours of negotiations have failed to bridge deep resentments and suspicions rooted in faith, conflict and history.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

If you drive away, you're facing untold hours on highways of frozen traffic, no matter what time you depart.

The New York Times

Because of his willingness to put in the untold hours on the practice green, Westwood said, he has renewed his faith in his short stick and has sharpened his once shaky short game.

The New York Times - Sports

Sure, it's going to cost brokerage firms hundreds of millions of dollars and untold hours to put this new standard into effect.

The New York Times

My parents and grandparents devoted untold hours to serving on the boards of local Federation agencies -- an ethic that has deeply informed my own professional and personal commitments.

Huffington Post

John Sarmento, a fantasy football writer and part of the popular 2Mugs podcast, said the online game's dehumanization did not escape him, even if most who dedicate untold hours to assembling their weekly lineups were unaware.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "untold hours of" with a specific activity or noun to provide context. For example, "untold hours of practice", "untold hours of research", or "untold hours of labor".

Common error

While "untold hours of" implies a significant time commitment, avoid using it in situations where a more specific estimate is possible or expected. Vague descriptions can undermine the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "untold hours of" functions as a noun modifier, specifically quantifying a period of time. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a significant but unquantified duration spent on a particular activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Arts

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "untold hours of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a significant, unquantified amount of time devoted to a particular activity. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's used to underscore the dedication and effort involved. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is frequently found in news, media, and sports reporting. While alternatives such as ""countless hours of"" or ""numerous hours of"" exist, "untold hours of" offers a concise and impactful way to convey a substantial time investment. Remember to use it when the precise duration is unknown or less relevant than the emphasis on the commitment itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

countless hours of

Emphasizes the inability to count or enumerate the hours.

numerous hours of

Highlights a large quantity of hours.

extensive time dedicated to

Focuses on the considerable time devoted to a specific purpose.

significant duration spent on

Stresses the importance of the time allocated to something.

vast amounts of time on

Indicates a very large quantity of time.

considerable periods allocated to

Emphasizes the allocation of substantial time blocks.

substantial investments of time in

Highlights the significant commitment of time as an investment.

prolonged engagement with

Stresses an extended period of involvement.

endless stretches devoted to

Implies a seemingly infinite amount of time dedicated to something.

infinite time allocated for

Suggests no limit to the time set aside for a purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "untold hours of" in a sentence?

You can use "untold hours of" to emphasize the large amount of time someone dedicated to something. For example, "She spent "untold hours of" practice perfecting her routine."

What are some alternatives to saying "untold hours of"?

Alternatives include "countless hours of", "numerous hours of", or "extensive time dedicated to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "untold hours of" or "untold number of hours"?

"Untold hours of" is generally more concise and common. "Untold number of hours" is grammatically correct but can sound more verbose. The best choice depends on the desired tone and context.

Can "untold hours of" be used for things other than work or practice?

Yes, it can be used for anything that consumes a significant amount of time. For instance, ""untold hours of" negotiations" or ""untold hours of" travel" are both valid uses.