every waking hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every waking hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea of something happening continuously or frequently throughout the day while one is awake. Example: "I think about my goals every waking hour, determined to achieve them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

As the ceremony draws closer, the pair have been locked in rehearsals almost every waking hour.

Independent

Only Lanzmann would have devoted his life to this project, sacrificing every waking hour to it.

The Guardian

The implosion of her country tears at her every waking hour "and my sleep too.

The Guardian - Books

Two years later, the chef spends nearly every waking hour at the cozy French restaurant.

The New York Times

I work every waking hour trying to help people who are sick.

The New York Times

She cares deeply for her colleagues and seems to dedicate every waking hour to this campaign.

The Guardian

English teachers are valuable because language is the stuff we all deal in every waking hour.

The Guardian - Books

For five years, Herrenknecht spent almost every waking hour beneath the Seelisberg, descending before dawn and reëmerging after nightfall.

The New Yorker

"We don't have to worry every waking hour about Noah being able to breathe," Mr. Tovar said.

The New York Times

"American Airlines spends every waking hour measuring themselves against United," said one rival airline executive who insisted on anonymity.

The New York Times

About two weeks beofre an event they'll congregate in one place and devote every waking hour to the game.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "every waking hour" to emphasize dedication or preoccupation with something during one's active time, for example, "She dedicated every waking hour to her studies".

Common error

Avoid using "every waking hour" when you mean something happens 24/7. The phrase specifically refers to the time one is awake, not during sleep.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every waking hour" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurs. It indicates that something happens continuously or repeatedly throughout the time someone is awake. Ludwig shows examples where it highlights dedication, obsession, or constant thought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "every waking hour" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe continuous activity or thought during the time someone is awake. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability and highlights its prevalence in news and media. It is generally considered neutral in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While similar phrases like "all day long" or "constantly" can be used, "every waking hour" specifically emphasizes dedication and the temporal scope of being awake. Common errors involve misusing it to indicate 24/7 activity, so it's important to remember its specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all day long

Focuses solely on the daytime aspect of the original phrase.

at every moment of consciousness

More elaborate way of stating "every waking hour", referring to every moment while one is awake.

constantly

Emphasizes the continuous nature of an action or thought, without the temporal limitation.

all the time

A general phrase indicating constant occurrence, lacking the specific 'awake' connotation.

every single moment

Emphasizes the frequency and continuity of something happening.

continually

Highlights continuous repetition of an action.

day and night

Similar to 'around the clock', but slightly less intense.

from dawn till dusk

Highlights the period from morning to evening, matching the awake period.

around the clock

Focuses on 24-hour activity, including sleep time, unlike the original phrase.

without cease

Implies an uninterrupted state, more formal than "every waking hour".

FAQs

How can I use "every waking hour" in a sentence?

You can use "every waking hour" to describe dedicating all of your time to something when you are awake. For example: "He spent "every waking hour" studying for the exam".

What does "every waking hour" emphasize?

"Every waking hour" emphasizes dedication, constant activity, or preoccupation with something during the time one is awake and active.

Are there alternatives to "every waking hour"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "all day long", "constantly", or "at every moment of consciousness", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "every waking hour" formal or informal?

"Every waking hour" is considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives may be more appropriate depending on your specific audience and purpose.