every few hours (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

The phrase "every few hours" is an adverbial phrase that describes the frequency of an action.

Phonetic Transcription

/eˈvəri fjuː ˈaʊərz/

Meaning and Usage

"Every few hours" signifies that something occurs at intervals of a few hours. It is commonly used to indicate regular occurrences but not at a specific set time. The phrase is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, particularly in informal conversation and narrative writing.

Example Sentences

1. I take breaks every few hours when I work on my computer.
   (Я делаю перерывы каждые несколько часов, когда работаю на компьютере.)

2. The medication must be taken every few hours to ensure its effectiveness.
   (Препарат необходимо принимать каждые несколько часов, чтобы гарантировать его эффективность.)

3. My phone needs to be charged every few hours, or it will die.
   (Мой телефон нужно заряжать каждые несколько часов, иначе он разрядится.)

Idiomatic Expressions

While "every few hours" itself is not typically included in idiomatic expressions, there are several related phrases that convey ideas of frequency and timing:

1. "Every now and then"
   I go to the park every now and then for some fresh air.
   (Иногда я хожу в парк, чтобы подышать свежим воздухом.)

2. "From time to time"
   He visits his grandparents from time to time.
   (Он навещает своих бабушку с дедушкой время от времени.)

3. "At regular intervals"
   The bus runs at regular intervals throughout the day.
   (Автобус курсирует с регулярными интервалами в течение дня.)

4. "On and off"
   I worked on this project on and off for several weeks.
   (Я работал над этим проектом время от времени в течение нескольких недель.)

5. "Time and again"
   She has warned him time and again about the dangers of texting while driving.
   (Она неоднократно предупреждала его о опасностях, связанных с текстовыми сообщениями за рулем.)

Etymology

The phrase "every few hours" combines "every," from Old English "æfre," meaning "always," "few," derived from the Old English "fēaw," meaning "not many," and "hours," which comes from the Latin "hora," meaning "hour." The combination indicates a repeated occurrence across a span of time.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:
- Occasionally
- Periodically
- Intermittently

Antonyms:
- Constantly
- Continuously
- Rarely