a complex hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complex hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a particular hour that is filled with intricate or complicated events or emotions. Example: "During the meeting, we faced a complex hour of discussions that left everyone feeling overwhelmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although Miss Trehan recently gave a complex hour-and-a-half Bharatanatyam recital that incorporated poetry, mime and Sanskrit texts, she and her mother don't surround themselves with Indian culture in New York.

The New York Times

Sinfonia, Berio's best known and probably most characteristic work, is a richly complex, hour-long collage, in which spoken and sung texts in many languages are combined with an orchestral score of huge sophistication.

The Guardian

He got his wish Dec. 18 in a complex, multi-hour operation in which bundles of his muscle, bone, blood vessels, skin and nerves were joined — at times under a microscope — with those of a deceased donor.

The Washington Post

During one classic encounter in 1961, McNamara absorbed a complex one-hour presentation on nuclear deterrence from a Rand Corp. expert, glanced over 54 detailed slides and quickly decided to jettison the Eisenhower administration's policy of nuclear targeting of Russian cities and shift to military installations.

Los Angeles Times

Less than an hour earlier, an ambulance with flashing lights had left the cave complex, hours after the start of the second phase of an operation to rescue the soccer team.

The Guardian

It is the mirror of the inward investment that keeps factories going in Britain.The modern Rolls-Royce earns its keep not just by making world-class engines, but by selling "power by the hour"—a complex of services and manufacturing that keeps its customers' engines burning.

The Economist

In the mid-eighties, doctors who spent an hour making a complex and lifesaving diagnosis were paid forty dollars; for spending an hour doing a colonoscopy and excising a polyp, they received more than six hundred dollars.

The New Yorker

The process of creaming butter and sugar, mixing in a handful of dry ingredients and sprinkling in chocolate chips to make cookies is a recipe simple enough for most humans to follow, but for a robot it is a complex task that requires hours of hierarchical planning by roboticists and real-time planning by the robot.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Looking through microscope eyepieces, while performing a complex microsurgical reconstruction for hours sitting or standing relatively motionless often in uncomfortable positions, is not uncommon.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

I think the director did a phenomenal job in telling the story of such a complex issue in two hours.

Los Angeles Times

A complex work lasting almost an hour, Mahler's First Symphony is an ambitious piece for a youth orchestra.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a complex hour", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the hour complex. Is it due to intricate planning, emotional intensity, or a series of difficult events? Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "a complex hour" as a generic descriptor. Instead, provide details about the specific challenges or intricacies that made the hour complex to give your writing more impact and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complex hour" functions as a noun phrase, where "complex" modifies "hour". It describes a specific period of time characterized by intricacy or difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Encyclopedias

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complex hour" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a period marked by intricacy or difficulty. While not extremely common, it is understandable and conveys a specific meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what makes the hour complex to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "a challenging hour" or "an intricate hour" for alternative expressions. The phrase can be used in various settings, with a slightly more neutral register, often appearing in news or descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging hour

Replaces "complex" with "challenging", focusing on the difficulty presented by the hour.

a difficult hour

Substitutes "complex" with "difficult", emphasizing the troubles experienced during the hour.

an intricate hour

Uses "intricate" instead of "complex", highlighting the detailed and elaborate nature of the hour.

a complicated hour

Replaces "complex" with "complicated", stressing the confusion or lack of clarity during the hour.

a demanding hour

Focuses on the taxing or burdensome nature of the hour, replacing "complex" with "demanding".

a fraught hour

Emphasizes the tension and anxiety associated with the hour, instead of its complexity.

a trying hour

Replaces "complex" with "trying", focusing on the stressful and testing nature of the hour.

an eventful hour

Uses "eventful" instead of "complex", highlighting the number of significant events that occurred during the hour.

a taxing hour

Replaces "complex" with "taxing", emphasizing the draining or exhausting nature of the hour.

a pivotal hour

Focuses on the importance of the hour, highlighting it as a turning point rather than focusing on its complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "a complex hour" in a sentence?

You can use "a complex hour" to describe a specific period of time filled with intricate or difficult events. For example, "The negotiation turned into "a complex hour" of intense debate and compromise."

What can I say instead of "a complex hour"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging hour", "a difficult hour", or "an intricate hour" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a complex hour" or "an complex hour"?

"A complex hour" is correct. The indefinite article "a" is used before consonant sounds, while "an" is used before vowel sounds. The word "complex" begins with a consonant sound.

What makes "a complex hour" different from a regular hour?

"A complex hour" suggests that the time was filled with intricate tasks, difficult decisions, or a high level of activity, making it stand out from a typical or uneventful hour. It implies more than just the passage of time.