at the top of the hour

USAGE SUMMARY

'at the top of the hour' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the exact moment that an hour ends. For example, "We will begin the meeting at the top of the hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Our hosts will open the show at the top of the hour.

Cornell University

Sure enough, at the top of the hour, the publicist said that he had arrived.

The New York Times

One of the publicists said that "Steve" would arrive at the top of the hour.

The New York Times

At the top of the hour came the headlines: in Ohio, Demetrius Hewlin had just died.

The New Yorker

For fans of the horn fanfare, it can still be heard at the top of the hour.

The New York Times

"I hear the North Korea news at the top of the hour, on the radio, and I figure, O.K., a two-minute story at the top of the hour, I can handle that.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Video that Todd introduced at the top of the 5 p.m. hour drives at the horror inside the building.

The Washington Post

She has a book out," Doocy said at the top of the 6 a.m. hour.

Huffington Post

Will Leicester still be at the top of the table in an hour?

BBC

At that moment, the bell at the top of the university clock tower sonorously tolled the hour.

The Guardian

On September 7, the ride stalled for nearly three hours, and on September 19, it stalled again at the top of the tower for three and a half hours.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a global audience, consider specifying the time zone along with "at the top of the hour" to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "at the top of the hour" when you mean 'around the hour'. The first refers to something occurring exactly at the beginning of the hour, whereas the second indicates an approximate time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the top of the hour" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying when an event or action will take place. Ludwig examples show its use in scheduling broadcasts, meetings, and other time-sensitive events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the top of the hour" is a prevalent and grammatically sound phrase used to denote the precise beginning of an hour. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It commonly appears in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, clarity and punctuality are key, and writers should avoid confusing it with approximate timeframes. Related phrases like "on the hour" and "precisely at the hour" offer slight variations in emphasis. Its high frequency and consistent usage in authoritative sources underscore its reliability in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the hour

Slightly more concise, emphasizing the timing's regularity.

precisely at the hour

Adds emphasis to the exactness of the time.

when the hour strikes

More figurative, suggesting a dramatic or punctual event.

at the turn of the hour

Focuses on the transition from one hour to the next.

at the commencement of the hour

More formal, highlighting the beginning of a new hour.

as the clock strikes

Emphasizes the auditory signal marking the hour.

at the full hour

Highlights the completeness of the hour being reached.

when the hour arrives

Suggests anticipation or expectation related to the time.

at the designated hour

Emphasizes that the hour was prearranged or scheduled.

at the sounding of the hour

Focuses on an audible announcement of the hour.

FAQs

What does "at the top of the hour" mean?

It refers to the exact beginning of an hour, such as 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and so on.

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

You can say, "The news broadcast will begin "on the hour"" or "Please submit your reports "precisely at the hour"".

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

Alternatives include "on the hour", "precisely at the hour", or "when the hour strikes", depending on the context.

Is it formal or informal to use "at the top of the hour"?

It is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives might be more suited for specific situations.