at what hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at what hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to inquire about the specific time something will occur. Example: "At what hour does the meeting start?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The problem, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote, was that the devices could detect not only heat lamps used to grow marijuana but also "at what hour each night the lady of the house takes her daily sauna and bath".

The New York Times

I wondered now at what hour had she lost patience.

The New Yorker

But the question would be at what hour.

The New York Times - Arts

The channel will replay Ms. Behar's show later in the evening, but it did not specify at what hour.

The New York Times

Much will depend on which stations agree to buy Ms. Couric's show and at what hour they choose to run it.

The New York Times

Woman is now given the right to deal death, when and at what hour she pleases, just because once in her life she gave a man a kiss".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

And it's not about when or at what hours people are in their offices (or even working out of office).

TechCrunch

At what hours does your brain work best, and how will your writing schedule fit into the rest of your life?

Huffington Post

They were caught by the police thanks to the many mental notes Bengtsson took while in captivity, such as at what hours he heard the sound of the ice-cream truck turn the corner onto their street, and how long it took the kidnappers to get food from McDonald's.

Vice

They were caught by the police thanks to the many mental notes Bengtsson took while in captivity, such as at what hours he heard the sound of the ice-cream truck turn the corner onto their street, and how long it took the kidnappers to get food from McDonald's. .

Vice

You might wonder how I came to find myself slumped against a wall, dressed in a frock with lipstick smeared across my face, slowly regaining consciousness at god knows what hour one Wednesday night.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking for a time, consider whether a simpler "what time" or "when" would be more appropriate, as "at what hour" can sometimes sound overly formal.

Common error

Avoid using "at what hour" in informal settings. In casual conversations, simpler phrases like "what time" or "when" are generally more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at what hour" functions as an interrogative phrase, used to inquire about the specific time something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig show its use in formal and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"At what hour" is a grammatically sound phrase used to inquire about a specific time, as validated by Ludwig AI. While correct, it carries a more formal tone than alternatives like "what time" or "when". Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its usage implies a need for precision. When writing, consider the register of your audience; in casual settings, simpler alternatives might be preferable. The goal is to effectively and accurately seek the specific hour of an event or activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what time

More concise and commonly used alternative.

at what time

Slightly more formal phrasing.

when

A brief alternative that relies on context.

at which hour

A more formal and less common phrasing.

during what hour

Focuses on the span of an hour.

on what hour

Less typical phrasing, suitable for specific contexts.

by what hour

Implies a deadline or a latest possible time.

until what hour

Focuses on the end time.

around what hour

Suggests an approximate time.

near what hour

Indicates a time close to a particular hour.

FAQs

How can I use "at what hour" in a sentence?

Use "at what hour" to ask for a precise time. For example, "At what hour does the train depart?" or "At what hour should we expect your arrival?".

What's the difference between "at what hour" and "what time"?

"At what hour" and "what time" both ask for the time, but "at what hour" is often more formal and emphasizes the specific hour, while "what time" is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Is it better to use "at what hour" or "when"?

The choice depends on the context. "At what hour" specifies the hour, while "when" is broader and may refer to a day, date, or time. If you need a specific hour, "at what hour" is more appropriate.

What phrases are similar to "at what hour"?

Similar phrases include "at what time", "what time", "when", or "at which hour", each varying slightly in formality and emphasis.