every sixth hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every sixth hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or action that occurs at regular intervals of six hours. Example: "The medication should be taken every sixth hour to maintain its effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Samples of peritoneal fluid were collected from an 18 Fr peritoneal drainage every sixth hour and TNF-α and IL-10 were analysed.

Critical Care

MTX was administered in a 4-hour infusion with 11 doses of leucovorin (folinic acid) as rescue (8 mg/m) every sixth hour, beginning 24 h after starting the MTX infusion (Ferrari et al. 2005).

Acta Orthopaedica

For patients undergoing surgery for Cushing's disease, we have chosen to withhold glucocorticoids and followed the clinical condition closely, while measuring S-cortisol every sixth hour to detect whether or not the patients are in remission.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

CSF and blood samples were obtained every second hour during a 16-hours study period and were analyzed for bacterial concentrations by quantitative cultures (lower detection level: 50 CFU/ml) and WBC on an automatic cell counter (Swelab, Åstad, Sweden).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Every third hour, you squeeze a Monopoly-race-car-sized amount onto the tips of your fingers (right hand), and then dab your ends with it.

The New Yorker

Consecutive sampling of aldehydes every eighth hour as well as total aldehyde sampling was performed during the first 5 days after application of the paints.

Industrial Crops and Products

N = 34 professional driver students drove in a high-fidelity driving simulator at 80 km/h for 55 min every third hour during 36 h of sustained wakefulness.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Eight blood samples were drawn each day (every third hour) on 8 days of the protocol and analyzed with respect to IL-6 and TNF-α.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

Urinary output was measured, and urine samples from both kidneys were collected at baseline, after 90 min and thereafter every second hour.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

The occurrence of aggressive behaviour, play behaviour and synchronous resting was recorded throughout the day (i.e. every third hour for 15 min during 24 h) on day 1, day 5, day 19 and day 33 after mixing.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Imagine a job that only paid you for every second hour you worked and threatened to have you kicked out of the country if you complained.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and broader understanding, consider using the more common phrase "every six hours" instead of "every sixth hour", especially in general writing. "Every sixth hour" is more appropriate when emphasizing a specific numbered hour in a sequence or schedule.

Common error

Avoid using "every sixth hour" when you simply mean "every six hours". The ordinal form implies a specific numbered hour, not just a duration or frequency. Consider the intent to make sure you are using the appropriate number. When in doubt, "every six hours" is the better choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every sixth hour" functions as an adverbial phrase of frequency, specifying how often an action or event occurs. Ludwig AI shows it primarily modifies verbs indicating the timing of actions or measurements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every sixth hour" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase mainly used to express frequency, particularly in scientific and medical contexts. While grammatically correct, it is less common than the simpler phrase "every six hours". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is found in academic literature, typically referring to timed intervals for measurements or treatments. When clarity and common understanding are important, "every six hours" may be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every six hours

This is a more common and straightforward way to express the same frequency.

at six-hour intervals

This alternative uses a more formal register and emphasizes the regularity of the spacing.

six-hourly

This is a concise, adjectival form conveying the same meaning.

once every six hours

Adds emphasis to the single occurrence within each six-hour period.

each sixth hour

Emphasizes each individual instance of the sixth hour.

every 6 hours

Numerical shorthand for the full phrase, suitable for technical writing.

at 6-hour intervals

Similar to "at six-hour intervals" but uses numerical representation, appropriate in math texts.

every 360 minutes

Expresses the interval in minutes instead of hours, useful for high precision.

on a six-hour schedule

Focuses on the schedule or plan that dictates the six-hour interval.

six times per day

Describes the frequency in terms of daily occurrences.

FAQs

What does "every sixth hour" mean?

The phrase "every sixth hour" means that something occurs at intervals of six hours. For example, a medication might need to be taken "every sixth hour".

Is it better to say "every sixth hour" or "every six hours"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "every six hours" is generally preferred because it is more common and easier to understand. "Every sixth hour" can imply you are referring to a specific hour in a numbered sequence.

Are there other ways to say "every sixth hour"?

Yes, you can also say "at six-hour intervals", "six-hourly", or "once every six hours".

How is "every sixth hour" used in scientific contexts?

In scientific literature, "every sixth hour" might describe a specific timing regime for data collection or administration of treatment, specifying the precise timing of repeated events.