given the hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given the hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the current time or the time of day when making a decision or observation. Example: "Given the hour, I think it's best to postpone our meeting until tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Given the hour, he was already asleep.

The New York Times

Given the hour, the teams agreed to scrap their remaining doubles match.

The New York Times - Sports

Given the hour that yesterday's earthquake rattled the streets, many people were asleep and never noticed it.

The New York Times

Given the city, given the history, given the hour, it was probably inevitable -- and right -- that Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Rome's main synagogue should generate "provocative remarks".

The New York Times

Given the hour, we limited ourselves to a few sips of chardonnay and resolved to return for their well-regarded winery tour.

The New York Times - Travel

Behind him hung a photograph from Merians's last art show, an abstract image that, given the hour, seemed to the metaphorically inclined to show a sun sinking from a purple sky into a purple sea.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Wounded by the bullet of a would-be assassin in 1912, he refused to go to hospital until he had given the hour-long speech that he was due to give.

Independent

Just as well, given the hours he has to work.

The Guardian - Money

She is available to work full time but is not given the hours.

The Guardian - Money

Given the hours and the extremely limited exposure, being an overnight anchor is a job without great appeal.

The New Yorker

Ms. Esparza: We just met with our accountant and we're very happy, given the hours we have.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "given the hour" to provide a rationale for a decision or action that is directly influenced by the time, creating a sense of immediacy or constraint.

Common error

Avoid using "given the hour" when the time is not a significant factor in the situation. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound stilted or contrived; ensure the time genuinely influences the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given the hour" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause explaining a situation or decision based on the current time. It provides context for understanding why something is happening or why a certain course of action is being taken. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase indicates a time-dependent rationale.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "given the hour" is a grammatically sound and useful prepositional phrase employed to provide a time-dependent justification or explanation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, indicating that its acceptance is widespread. It appears most frequently in "News & Media" contexts, and can be considered a neutral register. While "given the hour" is not overly formal, it is still considered an effective way to indicate the importance of the current time and it can be replaced by alternatives like "considering the time" or "taking into account the time". It's crucial to ensure the time is genuinely a significant factor in the context to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering the time

Replaces "given" with "considering", emphasizing deliberation based on the time.

taking into account the time

Highlights the act of factoring the current time into a decision.

in light of the hour

Uses "in light of" to suggest understanding circumstances due to the time.

because of the time

Directly states the time as the reason for a subsequent action or state.

due to the lateness of the hour

Specifically mentions the lateness, implying a constraint or urgency.

considering how late it is

Expresses a similar sentiment, emphasizing the advanced stage of the day.

as it's getting late

Indicates an impending constraint imposed by the progressing time.

seeing as it's so late

Similar to 'as it's getting late', but slightly more informal.

at this time of night

Focuses on the specific part of the day as a determining factor.

with the current hour being what it is

A more verbose and slightly indirect way of expressing the same idea.

FAQs

How can I use "given the hour" in a sentence?

"Given the hour", the phrase is often used to justify a decision or explain a situation influenced by the current time. For example, "Given the hour, we should probably head home" indicates that the lateness of the hour is the reason for leaving.

What are some alternatives to saying "given the hour"?

You can use alternatives like "considering the time", "taking into account the time", or "in light of the hour" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "given the hour" in formal writing?

Yes, "given the hour" is appropriate for formal writing. While not overly formal, it is a clear and concise way to indicate that the current time is a relevant factor. However, consider the tone of your piece and if alternatives may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "given the hour" and "considering the time"?

While both phrases are similar, "given the hour" directly references the specific time as a factor, whereas "considering the time" is a more general acknowledgement of temporal constraints. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the specific time or just the overall time factor.