a block of hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a block of hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific, contiguous period of time, often in the context of scheduling or allocating time for tasks or activities. Example: "We have reserved a block of hours for the team meeting next week to ensure everyone can participate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's unclear as to whether we are paid for every minute worked here, as pay slips merely state a block of hours".

The Guardian - Business

If a person makes themselves available for a block of hours, they are obligated to accept.

TechCrunch

TOU is a tariff where electricity prices vary by time periods, each period being a block of hours.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Division is halted during metaphase, and after a block of several hours the cell presents membrane blebbing and DNA fragmentation.

Cell Death and Disease

Generally, a block of 2 hours is the standard.

WikiHow

Such venues usually have specific times when they'll allow company picnics or require reservations of a set block of hours.

WikiHow

What's a little blackout to a guy who was once encased in a block of ice for 63 hours?

The New York Times - Science

An arsonist who killed a pensioner by setting fire to a block of flats in the early hours has been ordered to serve at least 21 years behind bars.

The Guardian

Mr. Blaine previously survived 63 hours inside a block of ice, a week inside a coffin and six weeks without food in a glass box suspended over the Thames River.

The New York Times - Science

His website, www.francisalys.com, features 19 public-domain videos, including his renowned "Paradox of Praxis"—listed as "Sometimes Doing Something Leads to Nothing"—in which the artist pushes a block of ice around Mexico City for nine hours until it melts.

The Economist

Clear a block of at least two to four hours a week to get your dream started.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a block of hours" to indicate dedicated time for focused work or study, minimizing distractions for optimal productivity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the phrase always implies consecutive hours. Specify if the "block of hours" is continuous or distributed across a day or week to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a block of hours" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier of time. It describes a specific duration dedicated to an activity or event. Ludwig examples show its role in scheduling and allocating time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a block of hours" is a noun phrase used to denote a dedicated duration of time, primarily in contexts related to scheduling and time allocation. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in News & Media. While it isn't overly formal, it serves a clear communicative purpose in specifying the time needed for tasks or activities. Related phrases include "time slot" and "period of time". When using the phrase, it's best to specify the continuity of the hours to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time slot

Replaces "block" with a more common synonym.

period of time

Uses a more general expression for the duration.

chunk of time

Substitutes "block" with "chunk", implying a less structured allocation.

stretch of time

Implies a continuous duration, focusing on the uninterrupted nature of the time.

allotted time

Focuses on the act of allocating or assigning the time.

designated time

Emphasizes the time being officially set aside for a specific purpose.

scheduled hours

Highlights the planned and organized aspect of the time.

set of hours

Suggests a defined and fixed group of hours.

window of time

Evokes a sense of opportunity within the given hours.

duration of hours

More formal way to specify the extent of time.

FAQs

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

You can use "a block of hours" to describe a dedicated time period for a specific activity, such as "I need "a block of hours" to finish this report."

What is a more formal alternative to "a block of hours"?

A more formal alternative would be "designated time" or "allotted time" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a block of hours" and "a time slot"?

While both refer to a period of time, "a time slot" often implies a specific, pre-defined segment in a schedule, while "a block of hours" can refer to a more flexible or self-allocated duration.

What can I say instead of "a block of hours" to emphasize the duration?

Consider using "stretch of time" or "period of time" if you want to highlight the uninterrupted nature or length of the duration.