for almost an hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for almost an hour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a duration of time that is close to one hour but not quite reaching it. Example: "I waited for almost an hour before the meeting started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We talked candidly for almost an hour.

The Guardian - Opinion

They worked this way for almost an hour.

The New Yorker

We had been at the school for almost an hour.

The New Yorker

You waited in line for almost an hour.

The New Yorker

I was down there for almost an hour".

The New York Times

The fighting raged for almost an hour before the regiment was forced to withdraw.

The New York Times

Mr. Santorum spoke for almost an hour, with frequent digs at the news media.

The New York Times

He spoke for almost an hour, and I watched so you don't have to.

The New Yorker

For almost an hour, Barça tried to whip up a rhythm.

The New York Times - Sports

That set the tone of the sale for almost an hour.

The New York Times - Arts

I'll give you a hundred quid.'" Tony added: "We had Currys for almost an hour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for almost an hour" to indicate a duration that is close to but not exactly one hour. It's suitable for most contexts, providing a balance between precision and casualness.

Common error

Avoid using "almost" excessively in your writing. While "for almost an hour" is fine, repeatedly using "almost" can make your writing sound hesitant or unsure. Vary your language to maintain a confident tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for almost an hour" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in specifying the duration of an action or state. It indicates how long something lasted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for almost an hour" is a common and correct way to express a duration nearing one hour. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to specify the length of an action. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When seeking alternatives, consider "for nearly an hour" or "for about an hour" for similar meanings. Remember to avoid overuse of "almost" and ensure that the context aligns with the intended approximate duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for nearly an hour

Emphasizes the approximation to one hour.

for about an hour

Indicates an approximate duration of one hour.

for approximately an hour

A more formal way of expressing an approximate duration.

for roughly an hour

Similar to "about", suggesting an imprecise duration.

for close to an hour

Highlights the proximity to the one-hour mark.

for just under an hour

Emphasizes that the duration is slightly less than one hour.

for a little less than an hour

More descriptive, indicating a slightly shorter duration.

for something like an hour

Informal and vague, suggesting an approximate duration.

for around sixty minutes

Replaces "hour" with its numerical equivalent, "sixty minutes".

approaching an hour

Focuses on the fact that the time is going to reach one hour.

FAQs

What does "for almost an hour" mean?

The phrase "for almost an hour" means lasting a period of time that is close to, but not quite, a full hour (60 minutes).

How can I use "for almost an hour" in a sentence?

You can use "for almost an hour" to describe the duration of an activity or event, such as: "I waited "for almost an hour" before the doctor saw me."

What are some alternatives to "for almost an hour"?

Alternatives include "for nearly an hour", "for about an hour", or "for approximately an hour". The choice depends on the level of formality desired.

Is there a difference between "for almost an hour" and "for over an hour"?

Yes, "for almost an hour" indicates a time close to but less than an hour, while "for over an hour" suggests a time longer than one hour.