for an hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for an hour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a length or duration of time. For example, "I'm going to sleep for an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bake for an hour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Exercised for an hour?

The New York Times - Health

He struggled for an hour.

The New Yorker

Worked hard for an hour.

The Guardian - Sport

We hoped for an hour.

The New Yorker

We chatted for an hour.

The New York Times - Travel

For an hour, the two men spoke.

The New York Times

I do this for an hour.

The New Yorker

Maja and I watched for an hour.

The New Yorker

My trainer comes for an hour.

The New York Times

She generally sleeps for an hour.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying duration, use "for an hour" to clearly indicate a timeframe of 60 minutes. It's concise and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying "for an hour" instead of simply "an hour" when indicating duration. For example, say "The meeting lasted for an hour" not "The meeting lasted an hour" to avoid confusion with a specific point in time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for an hour" functions as an adverbial phrase of duration, modifying a verb to specify how long an action or state continues. According to Ludwig, this phrase is frequently employed to express a specific length of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

32%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for an hour" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate a duration of 60 minutes. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts. While some alternatives exist, "for an hour" is generally the most straightforward and widely accepted option. This expression is appropriate for neutral registers, appearing frequently in news, media, and general informational content, making it a versatile addition to any writer's toolkit. To avoid ambiguity, ensure you are clearly stating a duration of time and not simply referring to a specific point in time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for about an hour

A more casual way of expressing an approximate duration.

for sixty minutes

Replaces the idiomatic "hour" with its numerical equivalent for precision.

for approximately an hour

Adds an element of approximation or estimation to the duration.

for a period of an hour

More formal and emphasizes the duration as a defined time period.

during the hour

Focuses on the activity happening within the span of an hour rather than the duration itself.

throughout the hour

Highlights continuous action or activity during the specified time.

over the course of an hour

Emphasizes the progression or development occurring throughout the hour.

in the space of an hour

Highlights the limited timeframe in which something occurs.

lasting an hour

Focuses on the duration as a characteristic of an event or activity.

within a 60-minute period

More formal and precise, specifying the exact length of time.

FAQs

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

You can use "for an hour" to describe the duration of an activity. For instance, "I studied "for an hour"" indicates the length of time you spent studying.

What's a more formal way to say "for an hour"?

A more formal alternative to "for an hour" is "for a period of an hour", which emphasizes the duration as a defined time period.

Is it correct to say "an hour" instead of "for an hour" when indicating duration?

While "an hour" can sometimes imply duration, it's clearer to use ""for an hour"" to avoid ambiguity. "An hour" might be misinterpreted as a specific point in time.

What are some phrases similar in meaning to "for an hour"?

Similar phrases include "during the hour", "over the course of an hour", and "within a 60-minute period", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the timeframe.