every hour or less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every hour or less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a frequency of occurrence that happens at least once every hour, but possibly more often. Example: "The bus arrives every hour or less, so you won't have to wait long."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The AUTUMNX data repository at Athabasca University (http://autumn.athabascau.ca) downloads accumulated data from each AUTUMNX station every hour or less using the rsync file transfer program, which has redundancy and ability to ensure that requested data is eventually obtained.

Earth, Planets and Space

Every hour or less remove your cap or hat, and pour a bit of water into the hat, then quickly invert it and place on your head.

Huffington Post

We have read everything the internet has to offer… nothing besides nursing basically every hour or less helps!" "We have done all the obvious things," the actress continued".Please leave magic tricks in comments".

Huffington Post

A substantial number of parents also wake their sleeping child to administer antipyretics, or check the temperature of the child too frequently – every hour or less [ 28, 35].

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

HR (beats⋅min-1) and invasive MAP (mmHg) data were recorded prior to CPB, at initiation of Ep, and then every 10 minutes for the first hour and thereafter every hour or less if needed during the subsequent 6 hours.

Critical Care

Take offs and landings change every hour or less in heavy traffic, and many resorts don't take very good care of their terrain parks.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Don't give up on your guinea pig they might take longer than you hope but most take at least two to three months and that's if you do this EVERY day for and Hour or less.

WikiHow

She rode to work with a Staten Islander for a good hour and a half by bus and subway to highlight her 10-year plan to make every New Yorker's commute an hour or less.

The New York Times

"Pretty much every time it opens higher, it gets smacked down again within half an hour or less," Meehan noted.

Forbes

A recent report said that more than 600,000 manufacturing workers are paid just $9.60 an hour or less, and 1.5 million manufacturing workers -- one out of every four -- make $11.91 an hour or less.

Huffington Post

All four tests were completed in one hour or less.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data collection or automated processes, use "every hour or less" to convey that updates or actions occur frequently, but with some potential variability in the exact timing.

Common error

Avoid using "every hour or less" when you need to communicate an exact hourly schedule. The phrase indicates variability, so opt for "every hour" if precision is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every hour or less" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate frequency. It specifies how often an action occurs, allowing for variability in the timing, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Wiki

25%

Science

46%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every hour or less" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating a frequency of occurrence that is at least hourly, but possibly more frequent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing in contexts ranging from science and news to general instructions. While common, it is best used when describing non-precise, frequent actions. For more formal or precise contexts, alternatives like "at least hourly" or "every 60 minutes" may be preferable. Avoid using it when exact timing is essential. Remember that using it imprecisely can confuse your readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at least hourly

Focuses on the minimum frequency, ensuring something happens at least once every hour.

hourly or more frequently

Explicitly states the possibility of occurrences happening more often than once an hour.

within an hour

Highlights the immediacy, suggesting something happens before an hour passes.

no longer than an hour

Emphasizes the maximum time frame, ensuring something happens within or at the end of an hour.

at intervals of one hour or less

Formal and precise, specifying the intervals between occurrences.

every sixty minutes or sooner

Replaces "hour" with its minute equivalent, adding specificity.

on a near-hourly basis

Implies a frequency close to every hour, but not necessarily exact.

at approximately hourly intervals

Acknowledges the time frame is approximate rather than precise.

up to once an hour

Indicates that the frequency can be anything up to one time per hour.

not exceeding one hour

Emphasizes that something will not take more than one hour.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "every hour or less" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "at least hourly", "hourly or more frequently", or "at intervals of one hour or less". These options provide similar meaning with a more professional register.

What does "every hour or less" imply about the frequency of occurrence?

The phrase "every hour or less" indicates that something happens at least once every hour, possibly more often. It suggests a frequent but not necessarily perfectly regular interval.

Is it okay to use "every hour or less" in scientific writing?

Yes, "every hour or less" is acceptable in scientific writing when describing processes or measurements that occur frequently but may not be precisely timed. For instance, "The AUTUMNX data repository downloads accumulated data from each AUTUMNX station "every hour or less"." However, use more precise language when exact timing is critical.

What is the difference between "every hour" and "every hour or less"?

"Every hour" implies a strict, regular interval of one hour. "Every hour or less", on the other hand, suggests that the interval can be shorter than an hour but will not exceed one hour. The latter allows for flexibility, while the former indicates a fixed schedule.