an hour prior

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an hour prior" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time that is one hour before a specified event or time. Example: "Please arrive at the meeting an hour prior to the scheduled start time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He couldn't say what he was doing a day or even an hour prior.

The New Yorker

The half-hour call, announced only an hour prior, was aimed at explaining how JPMorgan could justify buying its 85-year-old rival at a 93percentt discount.

The New York Times

Transfer to a plate and put in in the fridge for at least an hour prior to serving, during which time the roulade will firm and set and its flavours will meld.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Adam Riches was also seeing the play for the first time, despite being in it: he'd only got the script the day before, and had his first rehearsal half an hour prior to curtain-up.

The Guardian

My last memory was from about an hour prior to the incident, and my next memory was from two days later, when I emerged from a medically-induced coma".

Independent

Problems with his Glow In The Dark stage set were blamed for the delay, which resulted in Kanye taking to the stage at 4.30am to cries of "Kanye sucks!" A spokesman for the festival claimed the set problems occurred because of the time it took to dismantle Pearl Jam's set, which had overrun by an hour prior to West's slot.

The Guardian - Music

The study showed reduction in poleward winds, half an hour prior to the onset of ESF.

Advances in Space Research

You reported that entry-level GM workers were making a darned good $1 an hour prior to her meddling.

Forbes

Tissue sections prepared with matrix were allowed to dry at room temperature in vacuum for an hour prior to MALDI-MS analysis.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Those making, say, $14 an hour prior to the increase may only receive a $1 raise, which fails to make up for the loss of benefits.

TechCrunch

After speaking to him for over an hour, Prior pulled the man down from the bridge before New South Wales police arrived.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a specific timeframe for actions or preparations, use "an hour prior" to clearly communicate the necessary lead time. For example, "Please ensure all documents are submitted an hour prior to the meeting."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using "an hour prior". Maintain consistency within your sentence to prevent confusion. Incorrect: 'The event starts at 2 PM, so arriving an hour prior is good.' Correct: 'The event starts at 2 PM, so arriving an hour prior would be advisable'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an hour prior" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a specific duration of time before a certain point. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the structure is grammatically sound and effectively communicates temporal relations, supported by numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an hour prior" is a grammatically correct and versatile way to specify a period of one hour before a particular event. As Ludwig AI validates, it is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications, and even in wikis. While "an hour before" serves as a simpler alternative, "an hour prior" is also acceptable in most situations. When using this phrase, maintain consistent tense and ensure it is used appropriately to provide clarity in temporal references. By providing practical tips to enhance writing quality, Ludwig empowers users to effectively master this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one hour before

Replaces 'prior' with 'before', offering a more common and straightforward alternative.

60 minutes earlier

Substitutes "an hour" with its equivalent in minutes and 'prior' with 'earlier', providing a more precise and emphatic alternative.

an hour ahead of time

Adds 'of time' for emphasis, clarifying the temporal relationship.

sixty minutes before

Combines the precision of minutes with the simplicity of 'before'.

one hour in advance

Replaces 'prior' with 'in advance', emphasizing preparation.

an hour preceding

Uses the more formal term 'preceding' instead of 'prior'.

an hour leading up to

Highlights the period directly before an event.

an hour in anticipation of

Shifts the focus to the expectation of the event.

an hour on the clock before

Adds figurative details using on the clock and before.

in the hour just before

It uses a more verbose and descriptive construction.

FAQs

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

Use "an hour prior" to specify something that occurs one hour before a particular event or time. For example, "The gates will open "an hour prior" to the concert."

What's a simpler way to say "an hour prior"?

A simpler alternative is "an hour before". Both phrases have the same meaning and are commonly used.

Is it more formal to say "an hour prior" or "an hour before"?

The phrase "an hour prior" might be considered slightly more formal than "an hour before", but both are acceptable in most contexts.

Can I use "an hour earlier" instead of "an hour prior"?

While "an hour earlier" could work, it's best when referring to something happening at a specific time. "An hour prior" is more versatile for indicating a lead time before an event. For example: "The meeting was scheduled an hour earlier than expected."