full hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full hour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of 60 minutes or a complete, undivided hour, for example: I waited for a full hour before finally giving up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Set aside a full hour.

The New York Times - Arts

Watch the full hour long interview below.

Independent

Chris came home a full hour late.

The New York Times

For a full hour, he wept.

The New York Times - Sports

A half hour or a full hour?

The New Yorker

'The firemen needed a full hour.

The Guardian

Mr. O'Brien would then have a full hour.

The New York Times

It takes me a full hour in that bathroom.

The New York Times

Nicholls dared to stretch it to a full hour.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Is taking a full hour an option for you?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You can read the full hour-by-hour report here.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full hour" to clearly specify a duration of exactly 60 minutes, especially when contrasting with partial or approximate timeframes. For example: "The meeting lasted a "full hour", not just 45 minutes."

Common error

Avoid using "full hour" when the exact duration isn't critical; alternatives like "about an hour" or "around an hour" are more appropriate for approximate time spans. Don't use it if you mean that the hour was very busy or eventful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full hour" functions as a noun phrase that typically modifies a verb or another noun to indicate the duration of an action or event. It specifies a period of time lasting exactly 60 minutes, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "full hour" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase to specify a duration of exactly 60 minutes. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is usable in written English. It is employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing, to provide clarity and precision about time. When writing, be sure to use "full hour" if you are emphasizing the importance of a whole 60-minute block, otherwise, just "hour" would be fine.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete hour

Emphasizes the completion and integrity of the hour.

entire hour

Highlights the wholeness and unbroken span of the hour.

whole hour

Stresses the entirety of the time period.

a full sixty minutes

Combines the emphasis on completeness with numerical precision.

sixty minutes

States the duration numerically, focusing on precision.

one hour

A simpler, more direct way to refer to a 60-minute period.

uninterrupted hour

Focuses on the continuous nature of the hour, without breaks.

a solid hour

Indicates an uninterrupted and substantial amount of time.

straight hour

Implies a continuous and unbroken period of time.

clear hour

Suggests an hour free from other commitments or interruptions.

FAQs

How can I use "full hour" in a sentence?

You can use "full hour" to specify a duration of 60 minutes. For example, "The presentation took a "full hour" to complete."

What's the difference between "full hour" and "one hour"?

"Full hour" emphasizes the completeness and exactness of the 60-minute duration, while "one hour" is a more general reference to that time period. The phrase "full hour" may be used when contrasting the length of something with a partial hour, for example.

What can I say instead of "full hour"?

You can use alternatives like "complete hour", "entire hour", or "sixty minutes" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "full hour" instead of "hour"?

No, it is not always necessary. Use "full hour" when you want to emphasize that a complete 60-minute period was used or required, rather than a shorter amount of time. In many cases, "hour" is sufficient.