a solid hour

USAGE SUMMARY

'a solid hour' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a period of time that is long enough to be considered significant. For example, "I worked on the project for a solid hour before taking a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

A solid hour of battle followed.

The New York Times

"A solid hour consistently takes 10" years, she wrote.

The New York Times - Arts

Prescott is a solid hour drive from where my mom lived.

The New York Times

It was a solid hour featuring no more than a judicious quota of scenic views.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In other words, they delivered a solid hour of conservative red meat to a ferociously carnivorous audience.

The Economist

He does so with some previous experience and his innate abilities make for a solid hour debut.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Sohn reported that it was very bad indeed — "an unbelievable bumper-to-bumper jam leading from the George all the way up to the toll plaza at the New Jersey Turnpike — a solid hour-and-a-half delay," she said.

The New Yorker

Dave, who I later found out is the guitarist of Hot Chip, was DJing and we had a solid hour-long dance party.

Vice

A solid hours work produced The Depravator, an advanced sensory isolation device made from an old welder's helmet with a blacked out visor, two sets of plugs (nose and ears), and a pair of thick, woolen mittens (touch).

Huffington Post

Overall, she described the episode as "a very solid hour of entertainment, with very few nitpicks... a slick package with the values I consider to be real Trek".

Wikipedia

But you do need a good solid hour to roast the legs to the right crispiness.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a solid hour" to convey a significant and uninterrupted block of time dedicated to an activity. It emphasizes the duration was substantial and focused.

Common error

Avoid using "a solid hour" to describe something that is guaranteed or certain. "Solid" here refers to the duration of time, not the certainty of an event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid hour" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "hour", indicating a specific duration of time. It suggests that the time period was substantial and uninterrupted. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a solid hour" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a substantial, uninterrupted period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to emphasize the duration and focus of an activity. When writing, remember that "solid" refers to the duration and continuity of the hour, not the certainty of an event. Consider using alternatives like "a full hour" or "an entire hour" depending on the specific context to add slight variation. The extensive examples in Ludwig highlight the phrase's versatile application across diverse topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a full hour

Emphasizes the completeness of the hour.

a whole hour

Indicates the entirety of the hour was used.

a complete hour

Similar to 'a full hour', stressing the hour's entirety.

an entire hour

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the hour.

a good hour

Suggests the hour was well-spent or significant.

a straight hour

Implies continuous activity without breaks.

an uninterrupted hour

Focuses on the lack of interruptions during the hour.

a dedicated hour

Emphasizes focused effort during that time.

sixty minutes

More specific and less idiomatic than "a solid hour".

one hour

Neutral and literal way to express the duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a solid hour" to describe a significant and uninterrupted period dedicated to an activity. For example, "I spent "a solid hour" working on the report."

What are some alternatives to "a solid hour"?

Alternatives to "a solid hour" include "a full hour", "a good hour", or "an entire hour". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a solid hour" or "one hour"?

"A solid hour" emphasizes the substantial and focused nature of the time spent, whereas "one hour" is a more neutral and literal measurement of time. The better choice depends on the context and the desired emphasis.

What does "solid" mean in the phrase "a solid hour"?

In the phrase "a solid hour", "solid" means substantial, continuous, or without interruption. It suggests that the hour was fully utilized and focused.