an hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an hour" is correct and usable in written English.
For example: I have been sitting here waiting for an hour.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We got an hour".

The New York Times

Tramped half an hour….

The New Yorker

It's an hour long.

The New Yorker

point an hour.

The New York Times

About an hour passed.

The New York Times

Half an hour!" SLAM.

The New Yorker

"Half an hour passes.

The New York Times

Let's take an hour.

The New York Times

"Masterchef" lasts an hour.

The Economist

That's pennies an hour.

The New York Times

"Like, in an hour".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "an hour". In formal writing, specifying "sixty minutes" may be more appropriate for technical accuracy.

Common error

Ensure you use "an" before "hour" because 'hour' begins with a vowel sound, even though it starts with the consonant 'h'. Saying "a hour" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an hour" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating duration or time span. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it specifying time spent waiting, baking, or exercising.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

23%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an hour" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for specifying a duration of 60 minutes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. Predominantly featured in "News & Media" and "Wiki" content, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. Remember to use "an" instead of "a" before "hour" due to its vowel sound. Alternative phrases include "sixty minutes" or "approximately "an hour"", offering flexibility while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sixty minutes

Specifies the exact duration using a numerical value and unit.

a period of sixty minutes

Adds formality and emphasizes the duration as a specific time span.

approximately an hour

Indicates an estimated duration, allowing for slight variations.

about an hour

Offers a less precise estimation of the time duration.

roughly an hour

Similar to "about an hour", suggesting an approximate duration.

a full hour

Emphasizes that the entire hour is utilized or dedicated.

one hour's time

Formal rephrasing using the possessive form to indicate a duration.

a sixty-minute interval

Technical and precise way to describe the duration.

a segment of an hour

Indicates part of an hour, not necessarily the whole.

a time span of sixty minutes

Another formal way to express a duration of sixty minutes.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "an hour" in a sentence?

Use "an hour" to specify a duration of 60 minutes. For example, "The meeting lasted "an hour"" or "I waited for "an hour" before giving up."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "an hour"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "sixty minutes", "approximately an hour", or "about "an hour"" to convey the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "a hour" instead of "an hour"?

No, it is not correct. The correct form is "an hour" because the word "hour" begins with a vowel sound, even though the first letter is a consonant. The article "an" is used before words that start with a vowel sound.

What is the difference between "in "an hour"" and "after "an hour""?

"In "an hour"" means something will happen within the next 60 minutes. "After "an hour"" means something will happen after 60 minutes have passed.