at the hour when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the hour when" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify a particular time or moment when something occurs. Example: "We will meet at the hour when the sun sets over the horizon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

At the hour when Mr. Bush might prefer to be packing it in, Europeans are just thinking about dinner.

The New York Times

More than 4,000 tweets will be posted meticulously on the day, and often at the hour, when the events they are describing would have happened.

Princeton University

In Paris, they haunted La Coupole at the hour when Giacometti arrived for his after-work drink, and almost every day for a month Serra visited Brancusi's studio museum.

The New Yorker

Its length was an innovation, for in its original production it began in the late afternoon, paused for a dinner intermission, and resumed at the hour when most plays begin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On 7 November 1919 the King issued a proclamation asking "that at the hour when the Armistice came into force, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, there may be, forthe brief space of two minutes, a complete suspension of all our normal activities.

Independent

To afford an opportunity for the universal expression of this feeling it is my desire and hope that at the hour when the Armistice came into force - the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - there may be for the brief space of two minutes a complete suspension of all our normal activities.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The portrait was unveiled at 8.25pm local time, the hour when the woman knows as Evita died on 26 July 1952.

The Guardian

That came back at the end of the hour when Coulson gave her one last chance to not get thrown off the plane.

Huffington Post

That awkward pause at the beginning of the hour when they're about to call a race(s) but mistimed the graphics.

Huffington Post

At this hour, when the sun has yet to cast silhouettes of temple towers against the sky, it's surprisingly chilly.

Independent

Even now, I feel most free in the early morning, when I can walk the streets and imagine them as they were a century ago, before the touts come out, or at the "golden hour," when the light is at its most romantic, especially over the Seine.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the hour when" to create a sense of specificity and significance when describing a particular time and event. For example, "Ceremonies often begin at the hour when the sun is at its zenith".

Common error

Avoid using "at the hour when" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "when" or "at the time that" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the hour when" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time at which an action occurs. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from historical events to personal routines, indicating a specific moment in time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the hour when" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify a particular moment in time. Ludwig AI indicates it is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, suggesting a relatively formal register. While effective for adding specificity and emphasis, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly pretentious in informal contexts. Alternatives such as "at the time that" or "when" may be more appropriate in casual settings. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian, reinforcing its credibility in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the instant that

Highlights the immediacy and brevity of the temporal connection.

at the moment that

Emphasizes the specific instant when something happens.

at the point when

Similar to "at the moment that", but can also refer to a stage in a process.

during the time that

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

at the juncture when

A more formal and less common alternative, suitable for academic or literary contexts.

in the period when

Focuses on a duration of time rather than a specific moment.

while

A more concise way to indicate simultaneous events or conditions.

as

Similar to "while", but can also indicate cause and effect.

at that time

A shorter version, less descriptive and more generic.

upon the occurrence of

Formal and emphasizes the condition that triggers the event.

FAQs

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

Use "at the hour when" to specify a particular time or moment related to an event. For example, "The treaty was signed at the hour when the ceasefire began".

What's a good alternative to "at the hour when"?

You can use alternatives like "at the time that", "at the moment that", or simply "when" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at the hour that" instead of "at the hour when"?

While "at the hour that" is grammatically acceptable, "at the hour when" is generally preferred for its smoother flow and clearer indication of time.

What is the level of formality of "at the hour when"?

The phrase "at the hour when" is relatively formal and is best suited for writing that requires a certain level of elegance or precision.