hour of night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hour of night" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time during the night, often in a poetic or literary context. Example: "As the hour of night approached, the stars began to twinkle in the dark sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The hollow, unearthly hour of night.

The New Yorker

Answer her door at any hour of night.

The Washington Post

The vampire bat emerges from its cave at the darkest hour of night, after the moon has set.

The New Yorker

By Edward Hirsch The New Yorker, October 15 , 1990P. 104 The hollow, unearthly hour of night.

The New Yorker

Then it is back into the car and even at this hour of night in Los Angeles, there is traffic.

The New York Times - Food

I was stunned and dismayed that there was no hospital policy banning the ringing of cellphones, and conversations on them, by a certain hour of night.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

People stay out into the late hours of night.

The Guardian - Opinion

The proposal allows for 12 hours of night flying and 14 hours of day flying.

The New York Times

When they moved us, it was anxiously and usually in the quietest hours of night.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the late hours of night, we were blindfolded to receive visitors.

The New York Times

The calls came at all hours of night and day, to all communities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing this phrase. It's particularly effective when setting a scene or describing an atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid using "hour of night" in highly technical or scientific writing where more precise terminology would be appropriate. For example, instead of "the experiment was conducted during the hour of night", use a specific timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hour of night" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier specifying when something occurs. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is valid for usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hour of night" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that serves to specify a time during the night. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a valid phrase and its use is common across various contexts, particularly in news and media, though its presence is also noted in academic and scientific writing. While generally neutral, it can add a touch of formality or a poetic tone to writing. When using this phrase, consider the specific context and whether more precise terminology would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time of the night

Changes the noun "hour" to "time", focusing on a more general period.

nighttime hour

Reorders the words, emphasizing the time being part of the night.

late night

Describes the later portion of the night, often implying a specific period.

darkest hour

Emphasizes the darkest point within the night, often used metaphorically.

wee hours

Refers to the very early hours of the morning, close to the end of the night.

dead of night

Highlights the most quiet and still part of the night.

middle of the night

Identifies the central period of the night, often implying interruption or activity.

night's depths

A more poetic alternative, focusing on the deepest part of the night.

late hours

Refers to the end of the day and start of the night.

dark hours

Indicates a period of darkness, usually during the night.

FAQs

How can I use "hour of night" in a sentence?

You can use "hour of night" to describe a specific time or period during the night. For example, "The vampire bat emerges from its cave at the darkest "hour of night", after the moon has set."

What is a more common alternative to "hour of night"?

A more common alternative is "time of night", which is less poetic but more frequently used in everyday language.

Is "hour of night" a formal or informal expression?

"Hour of night" leans towards a more formal or literary style. In casual conversation, "late at night" or "at night" are more typical.

What is the difference between "hour of night" and "darkest hour"?

"Hour of night" refers to any specific time during the night. "Darkest hour" specifically refers to the time just before dawn, often used metaphorically to represent the most difficult part of a situation.