hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "hour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a period of time, such as "The class lasts for an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

What a nightmare!" There had been delays involving Clapham Junction earlier in the rush hour due to a lineside fire which caused hold-ups to services on London Overground.

The Guardian

Related: Sir Bradley Wiggins smashes Alex Dowsett's hour record – in pictures The Hour is better known for pressure of a different kind: the relentless need for the rider to maintain an even pace, while on the edge of cracking.

The Guardian - Sport

Children make up a third of the fatalities – the equivalent of one child killed each hour over the previous two days.

The Guardian

A survey by the UKHCA found the average rate across the UK was £13.66 an hour, with Liverpool and neighbouring Knowsley councils paying less than £11.

The Guardian

Tory supporters of equal marriage are making an eleventh hour plea to fellow Conservative MPs to vote in favour of reform by invoking the record of Margaret Thatcher, who supported the legalisation of homosexuality in the 1960s.

The Guardian

We had our first order within half an hour of launching the business – we were really excited and then realised it was for a material swatch [samples of fabric].

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The course will have places for 12 participants who will meet for one three-hour session per week (6.30pm - 9.30pm) for a period of six months at the Guardian Building, 90 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian

In October, Freeman carried out a protest by standing on a Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square in London in a 28-hour standoff with police.

The Guardian

The course will have places for 12 participants who will meet for one three-hour session per week (6.30pm-9.30pm) for a period of six months at the Guardian building at Kings Place, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian

Of the unseen Top Gear footage, Shillinglaw said it would definitely make it on to BBC2 – although not enough had been shot for three full one-hour episodes.

The Guardian

The old collection of buildings that made up the original concentration camp was not big enough to house all those caught in mass arrests, so inmates were forced to work 12- to 15-hour days to construct a new camp next door that would become notorious as the Nazis' biggest death camp.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To indicate that an event is on the verge of occuring, you can use the idiom "eleventh hour".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "hour", a unit of time, with "our", a possessive pronoun. Proofread your writing to ensure you've used the correct word in the appropriate context.

Linguistic Context

The word "hour" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a unit of time equal to 60 minutes. It's used both in specific time references, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as "The "happy hour" aperitivo runs from 5.30pm to 7.30pm", and in broader contexts of duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Travel

15%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Business

8%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "hour" is a common noun used to define a specific duration of time. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. Its high frequency across diverse sources, including news, travel, and business, underscores its versatility. The term is generally used in a neutral register, as confirmed by the linguistic analysis, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. Related phrases include “60 minutes” or “time period”. As demonstrated in this guide, understanding and using "hour" effectively involves recognizing its function in quantifying time and distinguishing it from similar-sounding words. Given the vast range of examples, the term "hour" can be used to enhance your writing by providing clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

60 minutes

Specifies the exact duration of an "hour" using a different unit of time.

Half an hour

Specifically refers to a duration of 30 minutes, offering a fraction of an "hour".

Time period

Offers a more general term referring to a specific duration, encompassing the concept of an "hour".

Designated time

Implies a scheduled or appointed time, synonymous with a specific "hour" for an event.

Eleventh hour

Denotes the last possible moment or opportunity, using "hour" in an idiomatic context.

Rush hour

Describes the part of the day during which traffic congestion is at its highest, using "hour" in a common phrase.

Point in time

Focuses on a specific moment within the passage of "hour", instead of a duration.

Around the clock

Conveys the idea of continuous operation, relating to the 24 "hours" of a day.

Happy hour

Refers to a specific period in a bar, usually spanning one or two "hours", during which drinks are discounted.

At that time

Refers to a specific instance of time during a particular period, being that the "hour" is a portion of the day.

FAQs

How can I use "hour" in a sentence?

You can use "hour" to denote a specific duration, such as "The movie is two hours long", or to refer to a point in time, like "The event starts at 7 o'clock hour".

What are some common idioms that use the word "hour"?

Common idioms include "eleventh "hour"" (the last possible moment), "rush "hour"" (peak traffic time), and "happy "hour"" (a period of discounted drinks).

Is it correct to say "an hour" or "a hour"?

It is correct to say "an hour" because "hour" begins with a vowel sound, even though it's spelled with a consonant. The article "an" is used before vowel sounds.

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

"Hour" is a specific unit of measurement for time, while "time" is a more general concept referring to the continuous sequence of existence and events. You might say, "What time is it?" and the answer could be "It's one hour past noon".