at a certain hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a certain hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific time that is not precisely defined or when the exact hour is not important. Example: "The meeting will take place at a certain hour, so please keep your schedule flexible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

They were simply given photographs and told to kill at a certain hour.

The New York Times

But now our daughter can't believe that we want her home at a certain hour.

The New York Times

You would probably begin by saying you rose at a certain hour, dressed and came down to morning school.

The Guardian - Books

$6$$)They said the negotiating clock should be stopped at a certain hour, rather than let it run all night.

The New York Times

The Cornelia St. Cafe still has above it an elderly Italian lady who at a certain hour on Monday evenings begins hammering on the floor of her apartment.

The New Yorker

"In the darker, colder months, films that reach more sophisticated or more mature moviegoers simply stop selling tickets at a certain hour," Mr. Urman said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

"Like during the war," she said, "if someone is outside at night after a certain hour, they are up to no good and must be executed".

The New York Times

Indeed, hostels are particularly safe, with doors locked after a certain hour at night and staff members at the reception desk 24 hours.

The New York Times - Travel

They can also set up location alerts to make sure their child is at school or home before a certain hour.

TechCrunch

You can practically tell time by the familiar faces, regulars at a certain unchanging hour.

The New York Times

At a certain appointed hour, the university decided to make its way in the world without me, and we parted company.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a certain hour" when you want to indicate a specific time without needing to be exact, or when the precise time is unknown or unimportant to the context. It adds a touch of vagueness or mystery.

Common error

Avoid using "at a certain hour" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your writing sound unclear or evasive. If the exact time is known, it's generally better to be specific for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a certain hour" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurs. It indicates a particular point in time without being precise. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a certain hour" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a specific but unspecified time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase, providing temporal context while maintaining some ambiguity. Predominantly found in News & Media, it is versatile enough for neutral registers. When a more precise time reference is needed, alternatives like "at a specific time" or "at an appointed hour" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a particular time

Replaces "hour" with the more general "time", broadening the scope slightly.

at a specific time

Emphasizes the definiteness of the time, but maintains the uncertainty of the exact hour.

at an appointed hour

Suggests the hour has been pre-arranged or scheduled.

at a designated time

Similar to 'appointed', implying a pre-determined time.

at some point in time

More vague, indicating an unspecified time in the future or past.

at a given time

Suggests the time is provided or understood within a context.

at a set time

Implies that the time is fixed and not flexible.

at an agreed time

Suggests a time that has been mutually decided upon.

at a scheduled time

Indicates the time is part of a formal schedule.

at a precise hour

Emphasizes the exactness of the hour, contrasting with the original phrase's vagueness.

FAQs

What does "at a certain hour" mean?

The phrase "at a certain hour" means at a specific time, but the exact time is either not known, not important, or deliberately left vague.

How can I use "at a certain hour" in a sentence?

You can use "at a certain hour" to refer to an event that happens at a particular time that you don't need to specify. For example, "The doors will open "at a certain hour", so please be patient."

What's a more precise alternative to "at a certain hour"?

Instead of "at a certain hour", you could use phrases like "at a specific time" or "at an appointed hour" if you want to indicate a more definite or pre-arranged time.

Is it better to use "at a certain time" or "at a certain hour"?

"At a certain time" is broader and can refer to any point in time, while "at a certain hour" specifically refers to a particular hour of the day. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.