an hour late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an hour late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has not arrived or started at the expected time, specifically indicating a delay of one hour. Example: "The train arrived an hour late due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He arrives an hour late.

The New Yorker

The show ran an hour late.

The New York Times

Her daughter arrived an hour late.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, he turned up an hour late.

The Economist

"You're an hour late".

The New Yorker

He was an hour late.

The New York Times - Sports

Our guide is an hour late.

The New York Times - Food

She was half an hour late.

The New York Times

We're half an hour late for dinner.

The Guardian - Music

The plane was an hour late.

The New Yorker

The concert finally began, an hour late.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an hour late", ensure the context clearly indicates what is delayed. For example, specify "The train was an hour late" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "an hour late" without explaining the reason if known. Providing context, such as "The meeting started an hour late due to unforeseen circumstances", offers clarity and avoids speculation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an hour late" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the extent to which something is delayed. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as demonstrated in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an hour late" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate a delay of one hour. As validated by Ludwig, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. To use it effectively, ensure the context clearly defines what is delayed and, if possible, provide a reason for the delay. Alternatives like "one hour behind schedule" or "delayed by an hour" can be used for variety. While seemingly straightforward, providing context ensures that your message is clear and informative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one hour behind schedule

Replaces "late" with a more formal expression using "schedule".

delayed by an hour

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the delay.

running an hour behind

Uses "running" to indicate progress that is delayed.

one hour past the deadline

Specifies the missed time relative to a "deadline".

tardy by an hour

Replaces "late" with the synonym "tardy", which is slightly more formal.

arrived sixty minutes later

Replaces "an hour" with "sixty minutes" for a more precise expression of time.

one hour overdue

Indicates that something is past its expected time.

behind by sixty minutes

Expresses the delay using "behind" and specifies the duration in minutes.

missed the scheduled time by an hour

Focuses on missing a scheduled time and specifies the duration of the delay.

one hour behind the expected time

Clearly communicates a delay in relation to the expected time.

FAQs

How can I use "an hour late" in a sentence?

You can use "an hour late" to describe something that is delayed by 60 minutes. For example, "The concert started "an hour late"" or "He arrived "an hour late" to the meeting".

What are some alternatives to saying "an hour late"?

Alternatives include "one hour behind schedule", "delayed by an hour", or "running an hour behind". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "an hour late" or "one hour late"?

Both "an hour late" and "one hour late" are grammatically correct and acceptable. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

How to avoid being "an hour late"?

Plan your schedule with buffer time and anticipate potential delays. Set reminders and prioritize punctuality to ensure timely arrival or completion.