hourly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hourly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs every hour or is measured by the hour. Example: "The train service runs hourly, making it convenient for commuters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She's on a terrific salary, of course, though she jokes that the hourly rate mightn't be quite so good.

The Guardian

Trains: the nearest station is at Ruabon, a 15-minute drive away, where hourly trains run north to Wrexham (6 mins) and Chester (26 mins) and south to Shrewsbury (32 mins).

The Guardian - Money

The technology is aimed at streamlining recruitment in the hourly jobs market, a source of employment for over 76 million people in the US.

The Guardian

Overall, the average hourly earnings for all workers rose 1.7% in 2014, which according to Goldman is "still below the 3% - 4% rate that Fed chair Janet Yellen identified as normal".

The Guardian - Business

Louisville has become the first city in the south to raise the minimum wage, joining 20 other local governments nationwide that have increased the hourly wage.

The Guardian - Business

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has pitched health as one of the key selling points for his company's upcoming Apple Watch smartwatch, including its hourly reminders to owners to be more active.

The Guardian - Tech

According to the UK Homecare Association (UKHCA), which represents providers, only one in seven councils is paying at least the hourly rate of £15.74 that the association reckons is necessary to cover costs and make a profit of 47p an hour.

The Guardian

If the rise in minimum wage had a ripple effect that ended up pushing our hourly employees to ask for more money, I would hope they would look at the entire compensation package, flexibility in scheduling, frequent free lunches, the access to 401 k), casual environment and more, and think of the entire package that we provide as an employer.

The Guardian - Business

The OECD noted that most workers had seen a decline in incomes folowing cuts in overtime and bonuses rather than hourly wage rates.

The Guardian - Business

However, average hourly wages only grew by only 3% in April, taking year-on-year gains to 2.2%.

The Guardian - Business

In 1997 the hourly pay rates for each fifth of earners were all lower than they are now, but so were the gaps between our earnings.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing frequencies, be precise. Use "hourly" if something happens precisely every hour, otherwise consider "frequent" or "regular".

Common error

Avoid using "hourly" loosely to describe events that occur frequently but not necessarily every hour. For instance, instead of saying "I check my email hourly", consider "I check my email frequently" if the checks aren't precisely at the turn of each hour.

Linguistic Context

The term "hourly" functions primarily as an adjective or adverb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies something that occurs or is computed every hour. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing schedules ("hourly express buses") or payment structures ("hourly rate").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "hourly" is a common and grammatically sound word that functions as both an adjective and an adverb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to specify something occurring or calculated every hour, with the primary purpose of defining frequency or quantifying value within a one-hour period. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, "hourly" maintains a neutral register suitable for varied communication needs. When using "hourly", ensure it accurately reflects actions happening precisely every hour, differentiating it from more general terms like "frequent". Related terms like "every hour" and "per hour" can be considered for semantic variety, but remember each has a particular nuance. Overall, "hourly" is a versatile and reliable descriptor in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Every hour

Emphasizes the regularity of occurrence at each hour mark, differing from "hourly" which can also describe something calculated per hour.

Each hour

Similar to 'every hour', but focuses on individual instances within the sequence of hours.

Per hour

Highlights the rate or amount associated with a single hour, used mainly in calculations.

By the hour

Indicates payment or usage measured and charged incrementally for each hour consumed.

At an hourly rate

Specifies a payment structure based on a fixed amount for each hour worked or used.

Once every hour

Explicitly states the frequency as a single occurrence within each hour.

Sixty minutes

Refers to the period of time on which something happen.

On the hour

It indicates that something happens at a set hour or at a specific point in time that corresponds to the start of the new hour.

Clockwise

It refers to the action of rotating on an hourly basis.

Chronically

Adverb used for things that happen often and that have some sort of periodicity on its nature.

FAQs

How can I use "hourly" in a sentence?

You can use "hourly" to describe something that happens every hour, such as "The bus service runs on an hourly schedule", or to specify a rate, like "The consultant's hourly fee is $100".

What's the difference between "hourly" and "every hour"?

"Hourly" is an adjective or adverb describing something related to or occurring each hour, while "every hour" is an adverbial phrase emphasizing the regularity of something happening each hour. They are often interchangeable, but "every hour" might emphasize the repetition more.

What are some synonyms for "hourly" when describing time?

Alternatives include "each hour", "per hour", or "at intervals of an hour". For example, instead of "The updates are hourly", you could say "The updates occur "each hour"".

How is "hourly rate" different from "salary"?

An "hourly rate" is the amount of money earned for each hour worked, typically for non-exempt employees. "Salary" is a fixed amount of money paid regularly, regardless of the number of hours worked, usually for exempt employees.