at the hour of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the hour of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate a specific time or moment within a larger context. For example: - "The meeting will begin at the hour of 9:00 AM." - "At the hour of midnight, the town was strangely quiet." - "We arrived at the party at the hour of 8:00 PM and stayed until midnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He bowed his head and prayed: now and at the hour of our death.

The New Yorker

Spoken or written at the hour of death, these are intimate, lasting words.

The New York Times

On one of his dives, he saw a clock stopped forever at the hour of the tsunami.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now at the hour of independence, he invited back by the newly chosen president of the newly established republic.

The New York Times

Damon returned at the hour of execution, and Dionysius, stirred by the strength of their friendship, set both men free.

The New York Times

Its name derives from a riot that took place in a church outside Palermo at the hour of vespers on Easter Monday, March 30 , 1282

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

| Sept. 9 at 5: "The Hour of the Furnaces" (1968, Fernando Solanas and Octavio Getino).

The New Yorker

The company also looks at the hours of training, alarm systems, fire apparatuses and housing for firefighters, according to Cobb.

Los Angeles Times

One sample withdrawn at the 72nd hour and three at the 96th hour of CVVH and one at the 120th hour of CVVHD were excluded from the analysis of clearance modification over time.

Critical Care

PTU or saline treatment was repeated at the 12th hour of the burn.

Burns

But at the 11th hour of the vote-tallying process last Sunday, Mr. Kibaki surged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the hour of" to create a sense of importance or formality when specifying a particular time, especially in narratives or historical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "at the hour of" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "at" or "during" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the hour of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a precise point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used to specify a time within a narrative or descriptive context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the hour of" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify a particular time or moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to provide temporal context, often adding formality to the writing. While primarily found in "News & Media", it also appears in encyclopedias and scientific texts. When aiming for simplicity, alternatives like "at the time of" or "during" may be more appropriate. However, in descriptive or narrative writing, "at the hour of" adds a distinct and effective sense of timing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the time of

This is a direct synonym, focusing on a specific point in time with interchangeable meaning.

at the moment of

Similar to "at the time of", this phrase emphasizes the immediacy of the event's timing.

during the time of

Implies a slightly extended period around the specific hour, suggesting a duration.

upon the hour of

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to specify the exact time an event occurs.

when it was

This transforms the phrase into a clause, adding more descriptive context to the timing.

as the clock struck

Evokes a sense of the clock marking the precise moment, often used in narrative contexts.

on the stroke of

Similar to "as the clock struck", this is used for very punctual or ceremonious events.

at the appointed time

Suggests a pre-arranged or scheduled moment, adding a sense of anticipation.

in the period of

Indicates a duration or span of time during which something occurs, less specific than the original phrase.

during that hour

More general, referring to events happening sometime within the specified hour.

FAQs

How can I use "at the hour of" in a sentence?

Use "at the hour of" to specify when something occurred or will occur. For example, "The ceremony began "at the hour of" noon."

What are some alternatives to "at the hour of"?

You can use alternatives like "at the time of", "at the moment of", or "during the time of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "at the hour of" or simply "at"?

"At the hour of" is more formal and descriptive, while "at" is simpler and more common. Choose based on the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "at the hour of" and "during the hour of"?

"At the hour of" specifies a precise moment, while "during the hour of" implies an event occurred sometime within that hour. The choice depends on the level of precision you want to convey.