a single hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single hour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the duration of one hour, often in contexts related to time management or scheduling. Example: "I only need a single hour to complete this task, so it shouldn't take long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

By October, 2000, it was down to a single hour.

The New Yorker

Each episode represents a single hour of a single day.

The New York Times

Run a single loop measuring 4.16667 miles within a single hour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We know that a single hour, once a year is not enough.

The Guardian

By the year 2020, that same amount of data will be created in a single hour.

The Washington Post

At one point Evelyn was blocked for sending too many tweets in a single hour.

The Guardian

"We lost the heart of our movement in a single hour," Bareesh told me.

The New Yorker

Now it is down to two, or sometimes just a single hour.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

This may be due, in part, to the fact that understanding is not typically accomplished in a single hour-long session, the length of many psychology lab experiments.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

That year, viewers saw a single hour-and-a-half highlights package, according to the BBC.

Huffington Post

And in this collection there are 15 deaths in the course of a single hour.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a single hour" to emphasize the brevity or significance of a specific hour, especially when contrasting it with longer periods or other units of time.

Common error

Avoid using "a single hour" when a simpler "an hour" or "one hour" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly emphatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single hour" functions primarily as a noun phrase that modifies a time duration. It emphasizes the isolated and often limited nature of one hour, adding a layer of significance or urgency. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a single hour" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to emphasize the significance or limited nature of a specific hour. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase. Its frequency is very common, particularly in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember that while "a single hour" can add emphasis, it's best to avoid overuse in simple time descriptions to maintain natural and clear communication. When alternatives can be "one hour" or "just an hour".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one hour

Uses a numeral instead of "single".

an hour

Uses the article "an" instead of specifying "single".

just an hour

Adds emphasis on the short duration.

a brief hour

Highlights the shortness of the time.

one short hour

Emphasizes the limited timeframe.

a mere hour

Indicates the insignificance of the duration.

a solitary hour

Highlights the isolation or uniqueness of the time.

sixty minutes

Expresses the duration in minutes.

one hour period

Adds specificity by using the word "period".

a span of one hour

Uses "span" to refer to the duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a single hour" to emphasize the importance or brevity of an hour in various contexts. For example, "I dedicated "a single hour" to studying and it significantly improved my understanding."

What are some alternatives to "a single hour"?

Some alternatives include "one hour", "an hour", or "just an hour", depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey. These can be more appropriate in situations where less emphasis is needed.

Which is correct, "a single hour" or "one hour"?

Both "a single hour" and "one hour" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "A single hour" adds emphasis, while "one hour" is more neutral. The choice depends on the context and the desired emphasis.

When is it best to use "a single hour" instead of "an hour"?

"A single hour" is best used when you want to highlight the significance or limited nature of that particular hour. "An hour" is a general term for a unit of time and doesn't carry the same emphasis.