during office hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during office hours" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the specific time period when someone is working or when a business is open. It can be used in various contexts, such as indicating when a service or assistance is available, specifying when an event is taking place, or setting boundaries for communication. Example 1: "Our customer service line is open during office hours from 9 am to 5 pm. Please call us during this time for any inquiries or assistance." Example 2: "The workshop will be held on Wednesday during office hours at the community center. Please RSVP if you would like to attend." Example 3: "I prefer to only check my work email during office hours to maintain a healthy work-life balance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lab equipment will be available for use during office hours.

University of California, Berkeley

Do not consult the notes you took during office hours.

Cornell University

Come see instructor after lecture or during office hours.

University of California, Berkeley

THE police could, as Nelson Berrio points out, have visited him during office hours.

The Economist

Me: But everyone works on their personal brands during office hours — it's totally normal.

The New Yorker

Many cubicle-dwellers see no daylight during office hours, with miserable effects on their well-being.

The Economist

Writer visits them during office hours and tells about some of the patients.

The New Yorker

Does it matter that this was during office hours at my new job?

The New York Times - Magazine

The quiet guy in the hooded sweatshirt now stops by during office hours just to chat.

The New York Times - Sports

Visit www.specialplacestostay.com and use the promotional code 'Observer Portugal', or phone [phone] during office hours.

The Guardian - Travel

Since 2003 the six had made a total of 408 entries during office hours.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying availability, clearly state the exact time range that constitutes "during office hours" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone's "office hours" are the same. Different organizations and even different departments within the same organization may have varied schedules. Always clarify the specific timeframe you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during office hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurs. Ludwig provides examples from academia, news, and science, demonstrating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

24%

Science

29%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "during office hours" is a common and grammatically correct way to specify a timeframe within which services, activities, or availability are limited. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts, including academia, news media, and scientific research. While generally neutral in register, clarifying the specific time range and avoiding assumptions about universal office hours are important best practices. Alternative phrases like ""during business hours"" or "during working hours" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. When writing, it's important to keep in mind that the phrase communicates a scheduled duty or work period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within working hours

Replaces "office" with "working", focusing on the general work period.

during business hours

Uses "business" instead of "office", more suitable for commercial settings.

during work hours

A simpler alternative, using "work" instead of "office".

within normal working hours

Adds "normal" for emphasis, implying standard work timings.

during operational hours

More formal, emphasizing the period when operations are active.

within the hours of operation

A longer and more formal way of saying the same thing.

between 9 am and 5 pm

Specifies typical office hours, providing a concrete timeframe.

during regular hours

Uses "regular" instead of "office", implying standard timings.

during standard hours

Similar to "regular hours", but emphasizes standardization.

within duty hours

Implies scheduled duty period.

FAQs

How can I use "during office hours" in a sentence?

You can use "during office hours" to specify when a service is available or when an activity takes place. For instance, "Our support team is available "during office hours" to assist you".

What's a more formal way to say "during office hours"?

A more formal alternative to "during office hours" is "during business hours" or "during operational hours". These alternatives are suitable for professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "during office hour" instead of "during office hours"?

No, it is generally incorrect. The correct phrase is "during office hours", as it refers to a period of time, not a specific hour. It is more appropriate to say ""during office hours"".

What does "available during office hours" mean?

It means someone or something is accessible or functional only "within working hours", usually a typical 9 am to 5 pm workday. It indicates a limited timeframe for availability.