around-the-clock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around-the-clock" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is available or happening continuously, without interruption, often referring to services or operations. Example: "The hospital provides around-the-clock care for its patients to ensure their well-being at all times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Around that time, Dom began needing around-the-clock care.

The New York Times - Sports

Most importantly, they have around-the-clock surgical availability.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Rock Around the Clock".

The New Yorker

Crews worked around the clock.

The New York Times

"You're working around the clock.

The New York Times

Celebrity sightings around the clock.

The New York Times

Staff are on hand around the clock.

Independent

They took samples around the clock.

The New Yorker

"He was working around the clock.

The New York Times

Building goes on around the clock.

The Economist

Even today, he works around the clock.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "around-the-clock" to emphasize continuous, uninterrupted service or operation. It's more descriptive than simply saying "always" or "constantly".

Common error

Ensure you use hyphens correctly. "Around the clock" (without hyphens) is a phrase meaning "at any time", while "around-the-clock" (with hyphens) is an adjective describing something that operates 24/7.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around-the-clock" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is available or operating continuously, 24 hours a day. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "around-the-clock" functions as an adjective, signifying continuous or uninterrupted availability, as verified by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure correct hyphenation to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "24/7" and "day and night" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Examples found by Ludwig highlight its widespread use in describing services and operations that are available at all times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

round the clock

A slightly less common variation of "around-the-clock".

24/7

A shorter, more informal way to say "around-the-clock".

day and night

Emphasizes the continuous nature by explicitly stating both day and night.

non-stop

Focuses on the lack of interruption in the activity.

continuously

A more general term indicating ongoing action without specifying time.

without interruption

Explicitly states the absence of breaks or pauses.

incessantly

Highlights the persistence and relentlessness of the activity.

constantly

Similar to continuously, but can also imply regularity.

all the time

A simple and direct way to express continuous availability or activity.

perpetually

Suggests a never-ending or eternal quality to the activity.

FAQs

What does "around-the-clock" mean?

The phrase "around-the-clock" means continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It describes something that is available or happening all day and all night.

How can I use "around-the-clock" in a sentence?

You can use "around-the-clock" to describe services, care, or operations that are available at all times. For example, "The hospital provides around-the-clock care for its patients."

What are some alternatives to "around-the-clock"?

Some alternatives to "around-the-clock" include "24/7", "day and night", "non-stop", and "continuously". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "around the clock" the same as "around-the-clock"?

While similar, "around the clock" (without hyphens) functions as an adverbial phrase meaning "at any time" or "at all hours". "Around-the-clock" (with hyphens) is an adjective describing something that operates continuously. The hyphenated form is generally preferred when modifying a noun.