at that hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at that hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time or moment during the day or night when something occurs. Example: "The train is scheduled to arrive at that hour, so we should be ready to leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were no concealments at that hour.

The New Yorker

The streets at that hour were empty.

The New Yorker

Why an event at that hour?

The New York Times

At that hour, she'll give her opinion.

The New York Times - Style

The crowds are sparse at that hour.

The New York Times

Most are asleep at that hour".

The New York Times

At that hour, who can wait?

The New York Times - Food

There were still stars at that hour.

The Guardian - Books

At that hour almost anything tastes like chicken.

The New York Times

At that hour, CBS is showing "CSI: Miami".

The New York Times

At that hour the elevator isn't up and running yet").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at that hour" to clearly specify a particular time, especially when contrasting it with other times or schedules.

Common error

Avoid using "at that hour" when a more general timeframe is intended. If the exact hour isn't crucial, consider using "at that time" or "during that period" for broader applicability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at that hour" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when an action occurs. Ludwig examples show its usage to indicate the time when events happen or conditions exist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at that hour" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to specify the timing of events, primarily found in News & Media and Academic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Alternatives like "at that time" and "during that hour" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using "at that hour", ensure it provides the necessary specificity for the intended context, and avoid using it when a more general timeframe is appropriate. The top authoritative sources, including The New York Times and The New Yorker, frequently employ this phrase, underscoring its validity and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at that time

Replaces "hour" with "time", offering a more general reference to a point in time.

during that hour

Uses "during" instead of "at", emphasizing the duration within that specific time frame.

at that moment

Substitutes "hour" with "moment", indicating a precise point in time.

at that point in time

Adds more emphasis to the specific point in time being referenced.

at that stage

Implies a particular phase or period within a larger process.

at that period

Emphasizes a span of time, rather than a precise moment.

within that hour

Highlights the actions or events occurring inside the specific hour.

during those hours

Refers to a range of hours instead of a single one.

when that hour arrived

Introduces a clause, focusing on the arrival or beginning of that specific hour.

as that hour approached

Focuses on the time leading up to the specific hour.

FAQs

What does "at that hour" mean?

The phrase "at that hour" refers to a specific time of day. It indicates that something occurred or will occur during a particular hour.

How do I use "at that hour" in a sentence?

You can use "at that hour" to specify when an event took place. For instance, "The streets were deserted "at that hour"." It provides a temporal context for the action.

What is a similar phrase to "at that hour"?

Alternatives include "at that time", "during that hour", or "at that moment", each offering slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is there a difference between "at that hour" and "at that time"?

While both refer to a point in time, "at that hour" is more specific, referring to a particular hour of the day. "At that time" is more general and can refer to any point in the past, present, or future.