before the hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before the hour" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate a time or event that happens prior to the designated hour. Example: The meeting will start promptly at 9 AM, please arrive 15 minutes before the hour to ensure you have enough time to settle in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just before the hour Germany equalised.

The Guardian - Sport

The scorer doubled his tally just before the hour.

The Guardian - Sport

PSG's second goal arrived just before the hour.

The Guardian - Sport

And just before the hour there was another one.

The Guardian - Sport

Lukaku subsequently completed his treble just before the hour.

The Guardian - Sport

He retired before the hour rather perplexed by it all.

The Guardian - Sport

The watch gives off a small vibration every hour, just before the hour, according to Cook.

Independent

He was late out for the second half and had to be replaced before the hour.

Independent

Wilson came on just before the hour, prompting a switch to a back four.

Independent

Craig Cathcart then doubled Watford's lead shortly before the hour mark.

Independent

"Ten minutes before the hour, it will remind you to move.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events, specify "before the hour" to clearly communicate deadlines or preparatory actions needed in advance of a set time. For instance, "Please submit your reports before the hour so we can review them during the meeting."

Common error

Avoid vagueness by stating clearly how much "before the hour" you mean. Saying "arrive before the hour" could mean anything from 1 minute to 59 minutes before. Specify a concrete duration: "arrive 15 minutes before the hour."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before the hour" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a time preceding a specific hour. Ludwig demonstrates its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before the hour" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a period or point in time preceding a specified hour. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans a variety of contexts, primarily in news and media. To avoid ambiguity, clearly define the timeframe you're referencing when using this phrase. While suitable for general use, more formal alternatives like "prior to the hour" exist for elevated writing. Remember to be specific and adapt to different writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to the hour

Replaces "before" with "prior to", offering a slightly more formal tone.

shortly before the hour

Indicates that something happens very close in time to the hour itself.

ahead of the hour

Indicates occurring or being done in advance of the hour.

leading up to the hour

Focuses on the period immediately preceding the hour.

earlier than the hour

Emphasizes that something occurs at an earlier time.

preceding the hour

A more formal and less common way of saying "before the hour".

in advance of the hour

Highlights the preparatory aspect of the time before the hour.

in the time before the hour

Adds emphasis on the duration before the hour.

up until the hour

Highlights the duration or process leading to the hour.

in anticipation of the hour

Suggests an expectation or preparation for the upcoming hour.

FAQs

How can I use "before the hour" in a sentence?

You can use "before the hour" to indicate a time or event that precedes a specific hour. For example, "The presentation must be submitted before the hour" or "Please arrive 10 minutes before the hour for setup."

What's a more formal way to say "before the hour"?

A more formal alternative to "before the hour" is "prior to the hour". This phrasing lends a slightly more elevated tone to your writing.

Is it always necessary to specify a precise time when using "before the hour"?

While not always necessary, specifying a precise time frame is recommended to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "complete the task before the hour", you could say "complete the task 15 minutes "shortly before the hour"."

What's the difference between "before the hour" and "on the hour"?

"Before the hour" indicates a point in time leading up to the full hour, while "on the hour" refers to the precise moment when the clock strikes that hour. For example, "the meeting starts "prior to the hour"", means before 3:00 PM and "the meeting starts on the hour" indicates the meeting will start at exactly 3:00 PM.