hour off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hour off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a period of time, specifically one hour, during which someone is not working or is taking a break. Example: "I have an hour off before my next meeting, so I plan to grab some lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

I had one hour off yesterday".

The New York Times

This must have shaved and hour off production every day.

The Guardian

The workers get an hour off for lunch.

The Guardian

"It wasn't like I was 10 miles per hour off.

The New York Times - Sports

In recent years, under-24s have lost 60p an hour off their daily wages.

Independent

At 10 p.m., my sister had an hour off from her rounds at the hospital.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Ping-pong tables: £26 per hour peak time; £18 per hour off-peak Food *** Ambience ***** Service *** Tipping policy: 'Service charge is 12.5 per cent.

Independent

"Services between London and Swansea currently operate at a frequency of only one train an hour off-peak," he said.

BBC

a two train per hour off-peak service is provided by Northern Rail between Saltburn and Darlington, and ten trains a day continue to Bishops Auckland.

Wikipedia

The train trip, with many stops along the way, would have shaved only around a half-hour off the drive.

The New York Times

During October 1967, the pilots operated in constant twelve-hour on, twelve-hour off shifts.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling tasks, explicitly allocate an "hour off" for lunch or short breaks to maintain productivity and reduce burnout.

Common error

Avoid using "hour off" imprecisely. Instead of vaguely saying "I'll take an hour off sometime", specify the exact time to improve clarity and avoid scheduling conflicts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hour off" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used to denote a specific duration of time allocated for rest, leisure, or a pause from work or other activities. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes scheduled breaks or reductions in task duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hour off" is a versatile and commonly used term to describe a break or reduction in time, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical function is primarily as a noun phrase, serving to inform about or request a temporary pause. Predominantly found in News & Media, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "one-hour break". Key usage tips include specifying the exact time of the "hour off" to avoid vagueness. Ludwig's analysis underscores its widespread acceptance and practical utility in discussions about time management and scheduling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one hour break

Focuses specifically on the concept of a break, emphasizing the rest period.

sixty minutes off

Replaces "hour" with its equivalent in minutes, adding precision.

hour-long respite

Uses "respite" to highlight the temporary relief from work or activity.

hour of leisure

Emphasizes the recreational aspect of the time off.

hour's vacation

Short period of holiday.

hour-long recess

Evokes the feeling of a scheduled pause.

temporary leave for an hour

Highlights the temporary nature of the time away from duties.

hour-long intermission

Suggests a pause during a longer activity, like a performance or meeting.

period of one hour's inactivity

Focuses of lack of activity.

time out for an hour

Focuses of being out of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "hour off" to describe a period of rest or break. For example: "I need an "hour off" after this meeting", or "The workers get an "hour off" for lunch".

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

In a more formal setting, you could use "one-hour break" or "sixty-minute intermission". These alternatives sound more professional than the simple phrase "hour off".

What can I say instead of "take an hour off"?

You can use phrases like "take a one-hour break", "enjoy an "hour of leisure"", or "have an "hour-long respite"" as alternatives to "take an "hour off"".

Is it correct to say "half an hour off"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say "half an "hour off"". This simply indicates a break or period of rest lasting thirty minutes. The example from the search results says: "They could have shaved a half "hour off" of the film and told their story in a more engaging way".