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a few hours ago vs few hours ago

The correct phrase is 'a few hours ago.' The inclusion of the article 'a' before 'few hours ago' is necessary to indicate that a small, indefinite amount of time has passed. 'Few hours ago' without the article implies a negative connotation, suggesting that not enough time has passed.
Jennifer profile picture

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 15, 2024

a few hours ago

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a small, indefinite amount of time that has passed.

Use 'a few hours ago' when referring to a recent but unspecified short period of time in the past.

Examples:

  • I saw her a few hours ago.
  • He left a few hours ago.
  • We finished the project a few hours ago.
  • He says Nina left a few hours ago...
  • This was taken a few hours ago.
  • Regular maid service entered the apartment a few hours ago.
  • Most recent was a few hours ago.
  • And then was hung here a few hours ago.
  • - You said that a few hours ago.
  • Looks like Godfrey was downtown a few hours ago.
  • Central Detectives picked this lady up a few hours ago.
  • It says it was delivered a few hours ago.
  • We checked your tracker a few hours ago.
  • We checked your tracker a few hours ago.
  • Dispatches from a few hours ago.
  • 9-1-1 got an anonymous tip a few hours ago.
  • She passed away a few hours ago.
  • Things were great even just a few hours ago...
  • The neighbor says Randy left a few hours ago.
  • This just happened a few hours ago.
  • He nearly killed himself a few hours ago.
  • I recorded this a few hours ago.
  • Mrs. Robertson has arrived a few hours ago.

Alternatives:

  • several hours ago
  • a couple of hours ago
  • a handful of hours ago
  • a small number of hours ago
  • a limited number of hours ago

few hours ago

This phrase is incorrect in English. The article 'a' is necessary before 'few hours ago' to convey the intended meaning of a small, indefinite amount of time that has passed.

  • He says Nina left a few hours ago...
  • A few hours ago, he was a living, breathing person.
  • Regular maid service entered the apartment a few hours ago.
  • Most recent was a few hours ago.
  • And then was hung here a few hours ago.
  • A few hours ago we filled the sky with our planes.
  • This was taken a few hours ago.
  • Looks like Godfrey was downtown a few hours ago.
  • Central Detectives picked this lady up a few hours ago.
  • It says it was delivered a few hours ago.
  • A few hours ago, Jonas Hodges was killed outside F.B.I. Headquarters.
  • We checked your tracker a few hours ago.
  • We checked your tracker a few hours ago.
  • A few hours ago, that would've shocked me.
  • Dispatches from a few hours ago.
  • 9-1-1 got an anonymous tip a few hours ago.
  • She passed away a few hours ago.
  • A few hours ago we decided to go on this trip.
  • Things were great even just a few hours ago...
  • Yasuda and the girl with wings were seen a few hours ago.

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