early hours

USAGE SUMMARY

"early hours" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to refer to the hours of the day that are before noon, for example: "I like to get up early and make the most of the early hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is truest in the early hours.

The New York Times - Arts

The party continued into the early hours.

The Guardian - Travel

This place buzzes until the early hours.

The Guardian - Travel

Secondary explosions continued into the early hours of today.

The New York Times

So on we went, into the early hours of Monday.

The Guardian - Sport

She gets up in the early hours and cries.

The Guardian

In the early hours of this morning, shots rang out.

The New Yorker

Rhod's "voice is perfect for the early hours", explains mateofthebloke.

The Guardian

In the early hours of Sunday, police arrested the couple.

The Guardian

First, in the early hours of Sunday, there was noise.

The New Yorker

He read into the early hours of the morning.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "early hours" to refer to the period shortly after midnight or sunrise, when describing events that occur at the beginning of the day or a process.

Common error

Avoid using "early hours" interchangeably with "morning" if you need to convey the sense of the very first part of the day, typically before people begin their regular daytime activities. "Morning" is more general, while "early hours" implies a quieter, often less active time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "early hours" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial of time, specifying when an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in indicating a time period soon after midnight or sunrise. Examples include "In the early hours of this morning, shots rang out."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "early hours" is a common and correct noun phrase used to denote the period shortly after midnight or sunrise, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to provide temporal context in a neutral register. Predominantly found in News & Media, with significant presence in Science and Wiki, it specifies the timing of events. The phrase is generally accepted and understood, making it a valuable tool for clear and concise communication. While "morning" is a broader term, "early hours" pinpoints a more specific, often quieter, time, marking the beginning of the day or a particular activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start of the day

More directly refers to the commencement of daily activities.

wee hours

Indicates the very late hours of the night or the very early hours of the morning.

pre-dawn

Specifically refers to the time period just before sunrise.

crack of dawn

Emphasizes the very beginning of the day, suggesting an even earlier time than "early hours".

first light

Highlights the appearance of light at the beginning of the day.

dawn

Focuses specifically on the break of day, emphasizing the transition from night to morning.

sunrise

Marks the precise moment the sun appears above the horizon.

morning

A general term for the period between sunrise and noon, encompassing "early hours".

beginning

Refers to the start of any event or period, not specifically the time of day.

initial phase

Describes the starting period of a process or project, applicable in broader contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "early hours" in a sentence?

You can use "early hours" to describe events happening shortly after midnight or sunrise. For example, "The bakery starts preparing the dough in the "early hours" of the morning".

What's the difference between "early hours" and "morning"?

"Morning" is a broader term for the time between sunrise and noon, while "early hours" refers specifically to the first few hours of this period. The "early hours" suggest a quieter, less active time than the general "morning".

What can I say instead of "early hours"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "crack of dawn", "wee hours", or "first light" as alternatives to "early hours".

Is it correct to say "in the early hours of night"?

While grammatically understandable, "in the early hours of the night" is less common. Typically, "early hours" refers to the time after midnight or sunrise, so "wee hours" might be a more appropriate substitute.