depends on the hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depends on the hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is contingent or varies based on the specific time of day. Example: "My availability for a meeting depends on the hour, so please let me know what time works best for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It depends on the hour.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It depends on the hours you get and the customers that come into the restaurant," says Sanchez, a father of five children who currently works as a busboy earning $80 a day.

The Guardian - Money

Maybe it's because my paycheck depends on the hours I put in.

Huffington Post

"I had different tactics depending on the hour," she said.

The New York Times

A taxi to downtown Zurich ranges from $44 to $51, depending on the hour.

The New York Times

SOUND LEVEL Loud, louder or loudest, depending on the hour and your table.

The New York Times - Food

But the rules for broadcasters change depending on the hour that certain words are uttered.

The New York Times

Depending on the hour, and taste of the station master, passengers walk to platforms accompanied by the sound of music.

The Guardian - Travel

Atlantis, the viewing submarine operated from Hilton's dock, costs $59 to $89 ,depending on the hour of departure.

The New York Times - Travel

Among other attributes, the place is perhaps the only etymology bar in the city, and its character changes depending on the hour of the day.

The New York Times

It can be bought for £5, £2, £1, maybe even some secondhand clothes, depending on the hour, the desperation of the woman, and the desire of the man.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depends on the hour" to precisely indicate that a situation, price, or condition is variable and changes according to the specific time.

Common error

Avoid using "depends on the hour" when a broader timeframe (like 'day' or 'season') is more appropriate. Ensure the variability genuinely occurs at hourly intervals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depends on the hour" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating that the outcome or characteristic is contingent upon the specific time. As shown in Ludwig, it highlights a temporal dependency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "depends on the hour" is a useful prepositional phrase for indicating that something varies according to the specific time. Ludwig's analysis confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, as stated in Ludwig's AI. Its applications range from explaining fluctuations in pricing to describing changes in conditions. While versatile, it’s essential to ensure the variability genuinely occurs at hourly intervals, avoiding its use when a broader timeframe is more fitting. Related phrases like "varies by the hour" or "contingent on the hour" can be used for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depending upon the hour

Uses 'upon' instead of 'on', creating a slightly more formal tone.

depend on the hour

Omits the 's' from 'depends', changing the grammatical tense and requiring a plural subject.

varies by the hour

Replaces "depends on" with "varies by", focusing on the changing nature.

contingent on the hour

Substitutes "depends on" with "contingent on", indicating conditionality.

subject to the hour

Replaces "depends on" with "subject to", suggesting influence or control by the time.

is a function of the hour

Expresses dependence in mathematical terms, implying a direct relationship.

fluctuates hourly

Highlights the hourly changes, replacing the dependence with fluctuation.

changes with the time

Broadens the scope to "time" instead of "hour", encompassing more than just the specific hour.

governed by the hour

Suggests that something is regulated or controlled by the specific time.

is time-sensitive

Indicates sensitivity to time, implying importance of the exact moment.

FAQs

How can I use "depends on the hour" in a sentence?

Use "depends on the hour" to show that something varies according to the specific time. For example: "The cost of electricity depends on the hour because of peak demand."

What's a more formal alternative to "depends on the hour"?

For a more formal tone, you might use "depending upon the hour". This substitutes "on" with "upon", which is slightly more elevated in style.

When is it appropriate to use "depends on the hour"?

It's best to use "depends on the hour" when the factor truly changes from hour to hour. For instance, website traffic might depend on the hour, whereas weather patterns usually depend on the day.

Is "depends on the time" the same as "depends on the hour"?

While similar, "depends on the time" is broader. "Depends on the hour" is specific to the clock, while "depends on the time" could refer to any point in time, including days or months.