hour to spare

USAGE SUMMARY

'hour to spare' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to suggest that a task can be accomplished on time, even if there is not much time. For example: "We have an hour to spare before the meeting, so let's finish this report!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Half an hour to spare?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We arrived at Penn Station with an hour to spare.

The New York Times - Travel

I got to Munich International with an extra half hour to spare.

The New Yorker

If you have an hour to spare, compete in one of the tournaments at Bridge Base Online.

The New York Times

Here's how to do it if you've got just half an hour to spare and a bunch of eager friends.

The Guardian

If you haven't had the chance to watch this aforementioned Freedom To Connect talk, and you've got half an hour to spare, I highly recommend it.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

He arrives there with a half-hour to spare for his 8 a.m. class at the University of Bridgeport.

The New York Times

Got a couple of hours to spare?

University of California, Berkeley

Got more than 20 hours to spare?

The New York Times

They made it with a few hours to spare.

The Guardian - Business

The debt ceiling was raised with only hours to spare.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hour to spare" when you want to emphasize that someone has just enough time to do something before another event or deadline. For example, "We have an hour to spare, so let's grab coffee before the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "hour to spare" when there is no sense of an upcoming deadline or event. It implies a limited amount of time available before something else happens, so using it in a context where time is abundant can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hour to spare" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb and indicating the availability of a limited amount of time before a subsequent event or deadline. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Academia

6%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hour to spare" is a common and correct expression used to indicate the availability of a limited amount of time before an event or deadline. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it is widely used in News & Media and Academic contexts. While grammatical, it's important to consider the context and avoid implying urgency when there is abundant time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, suggesting it as a way to express that something can be accomplished on time, even if time is short.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extra hour

Implies the hour is beyond what's normally needed or expected.

extra time

Highlights time beyond what's required or expected.

free hour

Focuses on the hour being available, without necessarily implying it's before something else.

available hour

Highlights that the hour is not occupied or committed.

available time

Broadly indicates the presence of unallocated time.

hour off

Indicates a break or respite of one hour.

hour of leisure

Suggests the hour is for relaxation or enjoyment.

hour of freedom

Emphasizes the unrestricted nature of the time.

spare time

A more general term indicating available time.

free moment

A shorter duration of available time.

FAQs

How can I use "hour to spare" in a sentence?

You can use "hour to spare" to indicate having a limited amount of free time before another commitment. For example, "I have an "hour to spare" before my next appointment."

What's a more formal alternative to "hour to spare"?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases like "available hour" or "unallocated time" instead of "hour to spare".

What can I say instead of "hour to spare"?

You can use alternatives like "extra time", "free time", or "available time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hours to spare" instead of "hour to spare"?

Yes, "hours to spare" is correct when referring to multiple hours. The choice depends on whether you have one or more hours available.