at weird hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"at weird hours" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe moments when the time is unexpected or irregular. For example, "I often find myself up late at night working at weird hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

We'd talk more or less exclusively in heavy exhalations and fall asleep at weird hours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I Love Lucy was the iconic show that launched her to fame in 1951, and later it was on perpetual re-runs at weird hours of the night.

The Guardian

Not sure if that's just his cruel taunting of my attempts to form sentences at weird hours of the morning, but take heed, Guardian bosses!

The Guardian - Sport

My day usually ends around 5 or 6 p.m. (though I do pop up on our work messaging system at weird hours to make sure we are performing well on the stories we are covering).

The New York Times - Tech

Often I laugh out loud at the OBO". Not sure if that's just his cruel taunting of my attempts to form sentences at weird hours of the morning, but take heed, Guardian bosses!

The Guardian - Sport

It has meaning for them, so much meaning that they are willing to do whatever it takes, at weird hours, often at high personal inconvenience and risk, to do it.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

If you get up and go to sleep at all sorts of weird hours, this can lead your body to feeling sick, lost, and dead inside.

WikiHow

The game was played at the weird hour of 10 a.m. to satisfy television's needs on the first full day of that peculiar American custom of college football.

The New York Times - Sports

"Thanks to the weird hours worked at Westminster," he wrote in 2006 on the death of Catherine, his wife of almost 50 years, "much of our weekday communication had to be by love letters left on the kitchen table". This was no sign of disrespect or indifference to Catherine, to whom he was famously devoted.

The Guardian

They left out the murders, but did 'fess up about the spying, which at least helped explain their weird hours.

Huffington Post

"I don't mind working weird hours just to have my freedom," Muller says.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at weird hours" when you want to emphasize the unusual or unexpected nature of the timing, often implying inconvenience or disruption to normal routines. For instance, "The emergency calls came in at weird hours, keeping the paramedics on edge."

Common error

While "at weird hours" is acceptable in informal and news contexts, avoid using it in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "at irregular times" or "during off-peak hours" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at weird hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs by specifying when an action occurs. It indicates that the timing is irregular or unexpected, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples of people working or events happening outside typical schedules. The AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at weird hours" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe actions or events occurring at unusual or irregular times. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides examples showcasing its usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "at irregular times" in professional settings. The phrase implies a deviation from normal routines, often highlighting the unexpected or inconvenient nature of the timing. Remember to leverage this phrase to add color and specificity when describing time in your writing, but be mindful of your audience and the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at unusual times

Replaces "weird" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

at strange hours

Employs "strange" as a direct synonym for "weird", keeping the informality.

during odd hours

Substitutes "weird" with "odd", offering a slightly less informal alternative.

at irregular times

Uses "irregular" to convey the unexpected nature of the timing.

at unsocial hours

Emphasizes the disruption to social norms caused by the timing.

at unconventional times

Replaces "weird" with "unconventional", implying a deviation from the norm.

during off-peak hours

Focuses on the time being outside of the standard busy periods.

at untimely hours

Highlights the inappropriateness or inconvenience of the timing.

in the wee hours

Specifically refers to the very early hours of the morning.

late at night

Simplifies the phrase to a more general description of late-night activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "at weird hours" to describe activities or events happening at unusual or unexpected times. For example, "The DJ works "at weird hours" due to the late-night nature of club performances."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "at unusual times", "during odd hours", or "at irregular times", depending on the specific context and level of formality you need.

Is "at weird hours" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "at weird hours" leans towards informal usage. For formal writing, consider more neutral options like "at irregular times" or "during off-peak hours".

What does "at weird hours" imply?

The phrase "at weird hours" suggests that something is happening at an unexpected, unusual, or perhaps inconvenient time, deviating from the norm.