a rough hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a rough hour' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a time period that was difficult or unpleasant. For example: I just had a rough hour trying to get my computer to work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"And everyone would probably agree that at this point in my career that's a rough hour to get it on".

The New York Times - Arts

Suppressing inappropriate laughter while fretting over the future of the planet can make for a rough hour.

The New York Times - Arts

For some years, Daddy shuttled in and out of hospitals with angina, and heart attacks, and his young doctor confided to the widow that he "gave them all a rough hour" at the end.

The New Yorker

I will be back, too, despite agreeing with Mr. Greif, the n + 1 editor, who told me: "Whenever I'm invited to meet anyone in a hotel bar or lobby, it means I'm in for a rough hour, because it means my host has more money than sense".

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A rough three hour drive from the capital of Southern Sudan, Juba, through grasslands grazed by long-horned cattle, Terekeka shows the damage that years of war have inflicted.

Unicef

Because after a rough 24 hours, things magically turn around.

The New York Times

The sea trip took a rough three hours.

The Guardian - Travel

"It's been a rough 24 hours for England," concludes Julia Kite.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a mystery that has been particularly difficult for the people of Kanungu, a rough seven-hour drive southwest of the capital, Kampala.

The New York Times

Hasting told one of the general's aides: "Hold on, it's probably going to be a rough 72 hours, but you guys have been through worse".

The Guardian

VALLETTA, Malta — After a two-day wait in the Tripoli harbor followed by a rough eight-hour crossing, more than 300 evacuees from Libya landed here on Friday night on a high-speed ferry chartered by the United States government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a rough hour" to describe a specific period of time (60 minutes) that was particularly difficult, unpleasant, or challenging. For example, "The meeting turned into a rough hour of tense negotiations."

Common error

Avoid using "a rough hour" to describe a general period of difficulty spanning several hours or days. Instead, use phrases like "a rough day", "a rough week", or "a rough time" for longer durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough hour" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. "Rough" describes the nature of the "hour", indicating it was difficult or unpleasant. Ludwig AI, based on the examples provided, finds its usage grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rough hour" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon phrase used to describe a particularly challenging or unpleasant 60-minute period. As Ludwig AI confirmed, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, primarily in news media and formal business settings. Alternative phrases such as "a difficult hour" or "a tough hour" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Remember to use "a rough hour" for specific one-hour timeframes and avoid it when referring to more extended periods of difficulty. The phrase demonstrates a neutral register and functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "hour".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult hour

Replaces "rough" with "difficult", emphasizing the challenging nature of the hour.

a tough hour

Uses "tough" instead of "rough", maintaining the sense of hardship.

a trying hour

Substitutes "rough" with "trying", highlighting the testing aspect of the hour.

a challenging hour

Replaces "rough" with "challenging", focusing on the demanding nature of the hour.

an unpleasant hour

Uses "unpleasant" to convey the disagreeable nature of the hour.

a hard hour

Employs "hard" in place of "rough", suggesting difficulty and effort.

a stressful hour

Substitutes "rough" with "stressful", highlighting the anxiety-inducing aspect of the hour.

an arduous hour

Replaces "rough" with "arduous", emphasizing the strenuous nature of the hour.

a grueling hour

Uses "grueling" instead of "rough", stressing the exhausting nature of the hour.

a harrowing hour

Substitutes "rough" with "harrowing", highlighting the distressing aspect of the hour.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rough hour" to describe a specific 60-minute period filled with challenges or difficulties. For example, "I had "a rough hour" trying to troubleshoot the server issues".

What's the difference between "a rough hour" and "a rough time"?

"A rough hour" refers to a specific, limited period of 60 minutes, whereas "a rough time" refers to a more general, extended period of difficulty that could last days, weeks, or even months.

What are some alternatives to saying "a rough hour"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a difficult hour", "a tough hour", or "a challenging hour".

Is it correct to say "a rough hour" in formal writing?

Yes, "a rough hour" is acceptable in formal writing, particularly when describing a challenging or difficult event within a specific 60-minute timeframe. It is also common in news media and general discourse.