at all hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at all hours" is correct and often used in written English.
It is most commonly used to indicate that something happens continuously, without interruption, at any time of day or night. For example: "The nursing staff works at all hours to ensure the patients receive the best care."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Screaming pedestrians passed by at all hours.

The New York Times

The club posted guards at all hours.

The New Yorker

I'm an insomniac, thinking at all hours".

The Guardian

Loud fights break out at all hours.

The New York Times

Building inspectors pass through at all hours.

The New York Times

"People call me at all hours.

The Guardian

Obviously, the Bureau never sleeps, is alert at all hours.

The New Yorker

People comment at all hours of the day and night.

The New York Times

The city resounded with explosions at all hours.

The New Yorker

His mother pesters him on the telephone at all hours.

The New York Times

Russian players called her mother at all hours.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at all hours" to emphasize the continuous or unrestricted availability or occurrence of something. This can add a sense of urgency or convenience, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "at all hours" when referring to a specific set of hours or a limited timeframe. It's best suited for situations that genuinely operate or occur throughout the entire day and night.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at all hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate when something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to describe continuous or unrestricted activity. For example, "People comment at all hours of the day and night."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at all hours" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the continuous and unrestricted occurrence of an event or availability of a service. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While it is most prevalent in news and media, it is also found in scientific and general writing, making it suitable for diverse communication needs. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a continuous state rather than a limited timeframe, and consider alternatives like "around the clock" or "day and night" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around the clock

Emphasizes a 24/7 continuous operation or availability.

day and night

Highlights the persistence of something happening during both day and night.

24/7

A more modern and concise way to express round-the-clock availability.

at any time

Focuses on the lack of specific time constraints.

at all times

Implies a constant state of availability or occurrence.

without ceasing

Stresses the uninterrupted nature of an action or event.

continuously

Highlights the ongoing nature of something, without specifying time.

incessantly

Emphasizes the repetitive and often annoying nature of something happening constantly.

perpetually

Suggests an ongoing or never-ending quality.

constantly

Indicates frequent or continual occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "at all hours" in a sentence?

You can use "at all hours" to describe something that is available or happens continuously, like "The emergency hotline is available "at all hours"." or "The city resounded with explosions "at all hours"."

What are some alternatives to saying "at all hours"?

Alternatives include "around the clock", "day and night", or "24/7". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "at all hour" instead of "at all hours"?

No, the correct phrase is "at all hours", with the plural "hours". Using the singular "hour" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "at all hours" and "at any time"?

While both phrases indicate availability, "at all hours" emphasizes continuous operation throughout the day and night, whereas "at any time" simply means there are no specific time restrictions. "At all hours" implies a higher level of commitment or accessibility.