within the next hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within the next hours" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "within the next hour" or "in the next few hours." Example: "I will send you the report within the next hour."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The midwife reported birth position in the medical record system within the next hours after birth.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Collected tissue samples, maintained in Hank's balanced salt solution, were transported to the laboratory and processed within the next hours.

Cell Death and Disease

Subsequently (within the next hours and days after endothelial disruption), apoptotic smooth muscle cells mainly contribute to SDF-1 release, which is required to sustain the process of vascular remodeling and repair [ 21].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We'll pick a random winner from the correct prizes within the next hour.

The Guardian

NLD believes visitors to be allowed into the compound within the next hour.

The Guardian

A wire transfer would have to be sent within the next hour.

The New Yorker

Morsi is expected to address the nation within the next hour.

The Guardian

"If these people are not evacuated within the next hour, they will be dead tomorrow.

The Guardian

"Within the next hour, a million peopled Googled 'What is cassoulet?' " Carbone said.

The New Yorker

"If I can bring the temperature down within the next hour," I pleaded, "can I stay home?" I could.

The Washington Post

I began vomiting within the next hour," she told The Independent from her hospital bed on Wednesday evening.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "within the next hour" or "in the next few hours".

Common error

Avoid using plural forms with "next" when referring to timeframes less than a day. "Next" typically indicates a single, upcoming instance. Use "few" or "several" to denote multiple hours: "in the next few hours."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within the next hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to specify a timeframe. However, it's grammatically flawed. As Ludwig AI explains, the proper forms are typically "within the next hour" or "in the next few hours".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within the next hours" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English prefers "within the next hour" or "in the next few hours". While the phrase attempts to denote a short, upcoming timeframe, its incorrectness diminishes its effectiveness, particularly in formal contexts. It's advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing. The analyzed examples highlight its rare occurrence and suggest that better alternatives are readily available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the next hour

Specifies a timeframe limited to a single hour, making it more precise than the original phrase.

in the next few hours

Indicates a short, indefinite period, offering a slightly broader timeframe.

over the next few hours

Suggests that something will happen gradually during the specified period.

in the coming hours

Emphasizes the imminent nature of the timeframe, implying anticipation.

during the next several hours

Highlights the duration of the period, implying a continuous action.

within the immediate future

Broadens the scope to suggest a timeframe beyond just hours, but still soon.

in short order

Indicates something will happen promptly, though without specifying a definite timeframe.

shortly

Simple adverb denoting happening soon, without specifics.

in due course

Implies things will happen at the appropriate time in the near future.

before long

Suggests something will happen soon, but without a precise deadline.

FAQs

What is the correct way to refer to a short period of time in the future?

Instead of "within the next hours", use phrases like "within the next hour" for a specific timeframe or "in the next few hours" for a more general duration.

Is "within the next hours" grammatically correct?

No, "within the next hours" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct phrasing would typically be "within the next hour" or "in the next few hours".

What are some alternatives to "within the next hours"?

You can use alternatives such as "in the coming hours", "over the next few hours", or "shortly" depending on the specific context.

Why is "within the next hours" considered incorrect?

The phrase "within the next hours" is incorrect because "next" implies a singular, upcoming instance. When referring to multiple hours, it's more appropriate to use "few" or "several" as in "in the next few hours".